ROME, GA – A North Georgia family is grappling with unimaginable loss after a tragic ATV accident over Labor Day weekend claimed the lives of two adults and left seven children injured. The incident occurred in Cherokee County, Alabama, just across the state line.
The deceased, Marcus Ragland and Ashley Hawkins, were at Indian Mountain ATV Park when the accident unfolded. Ragland’s six children, including five of Audrey Dunn’s children, were also involved. The children were rushed to medical facilities, with four treated in Rome and three airlifted to a trauma center in Birmingham.
For Dunn, the nightmare is relentless. “It’s a dream I wish I could wake up from,” she expressed. Her five-year-old son, although physically unharmed, struggles to comprehend the tragedy. “He told me, ‘Mom, my dad died, but it’s OK because he’ll be back to get me tomorrow,'” Dunn recounted, highlighting the child’s innocence.
The accident’s location posed significant challenges for first responders. Sheriff Jeff Shaver described the area as remote with difficult terrain, complicating rescue efforts. According to witnesses, Ragland’s ATV was traveling at a high speed when it collided with another vehicle, veered off the path, and struck a tree.
Felicia Towers, Ragland’s mother, shared that her son frequently visited the park and had taken his children to share the experience. “He was adventurous and lived life to the fullest,” Towers remembered, expressing disbelief at his sudden absence.
The accident has left the family devastated, with Ragland and Hawkins’ shared children now facing life without their parents. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the children affected by this tragic loss.
The park itself has been a subject of controversy. Earlier this year, Alabama lawmakers attempted to pass regulations concerning the park’s operations, but the bill ultimately failed.
As the community rallies to support the grieving family, they are left to navigate a future forever altered by this heartbreaking event.