The crash occurred on September 29th, 2024, around 4:40 PM at 3793 Blocks Branch Road. An 11-year-old juvenile was driving a 2021 Polaris Ranger UTV southbound along with another 11-year-old juvenile passenger when the vehicle overturned in a field. The 11-year-old passenger was pronounced deceased on the scene; they were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The 11-year-old driver was wearing a seat belt and was moderately injured before being transported to Mercy Hospital Washington via Gerald EMS. The Polaris Ranger was extensively damaged and towed by Triple L Towing – it was not covered by insurance.
Off-highway vehicles such as ATVs and UTVs can be particularly dangerous to children due to the disproportionate number of juveniles that operate these vehicles. Of the 498 fatalities involving off-highway vehicles in 2023, nearly 1/5th consisted of children aged 15 or younger (Consumer Federation of America, 2023). Additionally, these types of vehicles are often not covered by insurance, as it’s not required under Missouri law. When faced with a tragic circumstance like this, it can be stressful and confusing to determine what steps you need to take moving forward. An experienced personal injury attorney can help alleviate some of these pressures by handling the logistics of things like insurance companies and medical bills. The AW Smith Law Firm has assisted thousands of victims of personal injury and has specialized knowledge from handling numerous cases involving off-highway vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident like this one, please do not hesitate to reach out for guidance and counsel.
