A 9-year-old boy was killed and three other children were critically injured in an ATV crash Sunday night, Feb. 15, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.
Troopers say the 9-year-old boy was driving the ATV east from a private residence at 3111 Sandridge Church Road in Grand Ridge. At the same time, a 27-year-old man from Sneads was traveling south on Sandridge Church Road, north of Mary Lane, in an SUV.
Investigators say the ATV entered the southbound lane directly in the path of the SUV. The SUV driver attempted to brake but was unable to avoid the collision. The front of the SUV struck the left side of the ATV according to the release.
Authorities say the impact redirected the ATV in a southerly direction. All four occupants of the ATV — the 9-year-old driver and three passengers ages 4, 9 and 10 — were ejected and thrown southeast of the crash site.
The 9-year-old boy driving the ATV suffered fatal injuries. The three child passengers were critically injured.
The SUV driver and his 21-year-old passenger were not injured.
Both vehicles came to rest north of Mary Lane, blocking both northbound and southbound lanes of Sandridge Church Road.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
