A 12-year-old boy was critically injured Monday after he fell off of an all-terrain vehicle in Bradford County, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to FHP, the 12-year-old was driving the ATV, with a 10-year-old passenger, around 7:45 p.m. when he fell off. They were heading north on SW 147th Avenue near County Road 18 in Brooker, Florida, which is north of Gainesville.
The 12-year-old Brooker boy was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville to be treated for a severe head injury. FHP listed his injuries as critical.
The 10-year-old Brooker boy was not hurt.
FHP has not said how fast the ATV was going at the time but did say the children were not wearing helmets.
RELATED: Brantley County 6th grader dies after ATV crash
This was the second ATV accident recently reported in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. On Saturday, the Brantley County School System said that a sixth grade student at Atkinson Elementary School died Friday night from injuries suffered in an ATV crash.
The school district on Tuesday sent News4JAX this statement:
“Things were a little different for Atkinson Elementary School 6th graders in Brantley County on Monday morning as the student body, teachers, and staff came together as a school family to remember their special classmate. Additional counselors and administrators were on hand throughout the day to support and comfort students. Atkinson Elementary School is a small school in Brantley County where students are loved and encouraged daily.”
News4JAX spoke with parents and grandparents who say riding ATVs throughout rural counties like these is just a way of life for many families with children.
“Very common. I mean, I ride my grandbabies on mine,” said a grandmother, who was towing two ATVs behind her truck on Tuesday.
The woman, who asked to remain unnamed, said parents need to be proactive in teaching safety.
“Safety is a big issue where parents need to teach their children better,” she said. “It’s scary. It really is because I raised my children around these ATVs and side-by-sides. They’ve gotta be taught.”
News4JAX on Tuesday also spoke with FHP Master Sgt. Dylan Bryan, who said anyone under the age of 16 operating an ATV must be supervised by a licensed adult and wear the proper safety gear.
“ATVs and side-by-sides and these types of recreational vehicles are very common throughout our region,” he said. “With that being said, again, we want to remind them to operate them in a safe manner and stay off roadways or highways. These are not designed to be operated on roadways or highways.”