NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – One of three teenagers riding on a four-wheeler died after it struck a brick mailbox just south of Callahan on Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the 2014 Honda Rancher was traveling south on Maplewood Court near Ratliff Road about 4:40 p.m. when the driver lost control and the all-terrain vehicle collided with the brick mailbox. Troopers said all three occupants were thrown from the ATV.
Passenger Donovan Parker, 18, of Bryceville, died at UF Health hospital in Jacksonville, the Highway Patrol said.
According to the Highway Patrol, passenger Gabrielle Fennell, 16, of Callahan, was seriously injured and driver Rylee Martin, 16, of Bryceville, suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to the hospital.
The Highway Patrol report indicated none of the teens was wearing a helmet.
The homeowner whose mailbox was destroyed told News4Jax that he was at the back of his property on Saturday afternoon when he heard the crash.
“It was a horrendous crash, but being the ATV is fiberglass, it wasn’t like metal," said the Nassau County resident of 25 years, who did not want to be named. “I didn’t know what it was.”
The man said his son ran to the scene.
“He administered some first aid,” the man said.
He added that speed is factor along the road.
“They speed around there,” the homeowner said. “Even though it’s a dead end, it’s about 1.5 miles long.”
The Highway Patrol report said charges are pending further investigation.
