Teenager Dies in Lake County ATV Crash with Sedan

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 23, 2020

The operation of ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) is something that is extremely dangerous, especially when the notoriously top-heavy vehicles are being driven on a paved surface such as a roadway. Still, within the state of Florida, the operation of vehicles primarily intended for off-road purposes on roads used by cars and trucks remains a continual pastime of many people. On Wednesday, August 19th, a 16-year-old Altoona resident was riding close to Lake Dorr within Lake County when they were involved in a fatal ATV accident after driving their vehicle onto the roadway.

Reports from troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol indicated that the incident took place close to the intersection of Ravenswood Road and Treadwell Avenue. Shortly before the collision, the 16-year-old Altoona resident was riding their ATV down a dirt road. The reports did not state whether or not this person was alone or if they were wearing a helmet. This dirt road they were driving down runs on a perpendicular course to Ravenswood Road, and at the point where the crash occurred, the dirt road crosses Ravenswood before continuing on the other side of the paved street.

It was close to 3:00 in the afternoon that the young person exited the dirt road and attempted to turn onto Ravenswood. At the same time, a sedan being driven by an unnamed person who was also 16-years-old, was traveling down Ravenswood Road, headed towards the intersection with Treadwell Avenue. When the ATV reached the end of their dirt trail, they attempted to turn onto Ravenswood Road. Upon doing so, they placed themselves directly into the path of the oncoming sedan.

The 16-year-old driver of the sedan was not able to change course or stop their car in time to prevent a collision with the ATV. As a result, the sedan struck the ATV while still traveling at a fairly advanced rate of speed. The driver of the ATV then lost control of their vehicle, which subsequently overturned. When paramedics and EMTs reached the scene, they did the best that they could to tend to the injured ATV driver, but the injuries that the young person sustained proved to be too severe for medical intervention. They were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The incident remains under investigation. It is not known if any charges are currently pending.

Sources:

• Altoona 16-year-old girl dies in ATV crash near Lake Dorr, troopers say

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.