While an ATV can be a fun way to spend an afternoon off-road, the term “all-terrain vehicle” may be a bit of a misnomer. These recreational vehicles are not, in fact, meant for all types of terrain. This leads to several accidents annually according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Data reveals that there are 135,000 people who are injured in ATV-related accidents every year. In addition, these accidents claim 700 lives annually. Unfortunately, about 30% of the people who are killed each year are under the age of 16. While many of these accidents occur off-road, some occur on highways and roadways. It is against the law to drive an ATV on a paved and public roadway in Florida.
News 4 Jax reports that a Yulee High School football player has been seriously injured in an ATV crash.
The accident occurred last Thursday at about 4:45 p.m. on Sandy Ford Road just north of Daybreak Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that a 15-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger were on a 2006 Yamaha Grizzly 660 traveling north on Sandy Ford Road.
15-year-old Alex Murphy fell from the ATV and suffered critical injuries and was placed into a medically induced coma.
A neighbor who had medical training was called outside to assist with the teen, who had hit his head on the pavement. The driver and another passenger in the ATV were not injured.
About 900 feet from the scene of the accident, there are signs posted that read “No ATVs on county-maintained roads.”
Charges are currently being held until a prognosis for Murphy’s condition has been ascertained.
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