Very Sad Story--take precautions with your children

[Tigger&Belle]

My MIL found out about an accident that involved her husband's cousin's grandaughter and her great grandchildren. The only thing that we knew was that the mother was seriously hurt and one of the kids killed, but with some internet research I found out more info about the accident.

Very sad, and to know that it was preventable is heartbreaking. I can't even imagine how this could rip a family apart. Please, all of you, take great care with your children and always put little ones in a properly installed carseat, make sure that older children are buckled in and don't use ATV's, wave runners, boats, etc in a way that they are not intended to be used.

My MIL said that the accident happened near their summer home and one of the 4yo's was instructed by his mother to go home and have his father call for help. My MIL also heard that the mother is paralyzed, but I don't know any more details as to her condition.

I figure if just one reader buckles up their children who might not otherwise do so, something good can come out of this horrible situation.


Here's the story from the Page News and Courier (I think in Virginia) with the names removed.



6-year-old killed in ATV accident

Mother in serious condition at UVA hospital

By Jamie Turner
Staff writer

Tragedy struck a McLean family Saturday evening when an ATV crash on Strickler Farm Road near Page Valley Estates north of Luray claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy.

The ATV was being driven by 43-year-old L. D. of McLean. She was carrying her 6-year-old son, plus her 4-year-old twin boys, when the ATV upset and toppled over.

The 6-year-old was killed instantly. L. D. suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. The 4-year-old twins escaped without injuries.

As of press time, L. D. remained in serious condition.

"The four wheeler was going west when it hit a bump in the road and veered off to the right side of the road," said Trooper Donald A. Dean Jr. with the Virginia State Police. "And then it rolled on its top, on both the 6-year-old and his mother."

The twins jumped off of the ATV before it upset, according to Dean.

The ATV was traveling on a gravel and dirt road when the crash occurred. Speed may have played a factor in the crash, police said. No charges related to the crash had been filed at press time.

The Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad responded after the call came in at about 8:30 p.m. July 31. The 6-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dean said the family was staying at its weekend home in Page County.

Dean said the ATV was carrying four individuals when it crashed. The vehicle was designed for one person.

He encouraged ATV owners to take precautions when operating these recreation vehicles.

"Lately, it seems like we are working more and more ATV accidents," Dean said. "People need to go by the rules when operating the vehicles … And everyone should be wearing helmets."


T&B

 

[canwegosoon]

So sorry to hear about this tragedy.....

 

[Pin Wizard]

That is tragically sad. Four people on an ATV designed for one person! Prayers for the family and friends.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

 

[zakatak]

You know, this is very sad, tragic, HOWEVER... WHAT was she thinking carrying three young children on an ATV anyways? This just makes me sick... I posted a few weeks ago how I saw a Father doing this, riding an ATV with what looked like a 3 year old on back, and a small infant AND a toddler on his LAP!

As tragic as this is, I would charge her with endangering the welfare of a minor AND possible manslaugher (don't know if I'm that nasty). This was totally preventable.

Poor Children. Stupid Mother.

Flame away if you want.

 

[JESW]

Very, very sad.

In the neighborhood I grew up in we lost one of the kids when he came home (he was 32) to ride his atv in the woods. When he didn't come back after a while his best friend (they had been friends forever) went to look for him and found him dead with the atv on top of him. He was crushed and died instantly. And Donny was one of those kids who did all sorts of daredevil things when he was younger and we NEVER thought he would die like that. His friend John has never been the same.

Jill

 

[Esmerelda]

how very sad...just another one of those cases where common sense was just elsewhere...(the famous words of Dr. Phil...) What were they thinking...? In this case, the mom was not thinking. An ATV is only designed for 1 person...not 4. A total tradegy that could have been avoided. My thoughts and prayers go out to that family.

Believe me...I work in the ER. I see more kids hurt thru car accidents. Their parents don't put them in car seats...it takes too much time...or little Billy just doesn't liked to be strapped down...etc. I have seen 3 and 4 yr olds in front seats of cars/truck involved in minor accidents yet the injuries were serious/critical/deadly!!! The law here where I'm at says over 100 lbs and I forget the age...probably 12 or so at least to even BE in the front seat. Its the same with bicycle helmets....a great deal of folks just "don't believe in them".....??? How bizarre that is to an ER employee....I guess a crushing head injury is better than that $25 helmet...

Like the original poster said.....always put safety first!! You can't replace your children....you can get a new car/truck/ATV...or bike.

I treat mine like gold...
Esmerelda

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I have no idea if charges are pending against the mother. Obviously, she has already paid such a heavy price, but was negligent in what she did. Very tragic, no matter how you look at it.

As a mother I can't imagine doing anything that would put my child in harms way. My daughter so wants her drivers license (she was 16yo in December), but we won't let her get it until WE think she is ready. She stands a much better chance of surviving to adulthood if she has a lot more driving experience than the state requires.

My children are required to wear helmets when biking or skateboarding. Doesn't matter what their friends or the neighbors are doing. Actually, my children are very good about this, it's a boy who I watch after school that keeps taking his helmet off when he's around the corner who drives me crazy.

They are buckled up in the car, even when they used to scream about it as babies and fight me when toddlers.

We have to remember that we are the adults and it's our job to "grow these children up". It's not a popularity contest--if it is my kids would tell me that I'm not winning! But they know in their hearts that I have their best interests in mind!

T&B

 

[MICKEY88]

ATVs are dangerous when used by one person let alone multiples, how tragic....

my best friends wife almost died in an ATV accident a year ago, they were riding on a family members property, she was going up an, it stalled started going backwards she hit the brakes and it flipped on her, she was pinned under it her chest and face were crushed, the hospital told my friend to prepare for the worst, her lungs were filling up with fluids, her body was so swollen he said she looked like the Michelin man...4-5 days later she made a turn for the better, and has recovered, her face is disfigured but she's alive.....

do a simple search for atv accidents and see how many horror stories are out there......

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by zakatak
You know, this is very sad, tragic, HOWEVER... WHAT was she thinking carrying three young children on an ATV anyways? This just makes me sick... I posted a few weeks ago how I saw a Father doing this, riding an ATV with what looked like a 3 year old on back, and a small infant AND a toddler on his LAP!

And that father that you saw easily could have had this outcome! Sad!

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I got an e-mail from my FIL regarding the condition of the mom involved in this tragedy. She's undergoing intense physical therapy and it seems that there is a good chance that she will be able to walk again. Good news for her--she needs to do what she can to be a mom to her 4yo twins.

Nothing has been said about whether she will will be charged with anything and I don't know that I'm even going to ask the question to my FIL (he wouldn't know, anyway, and I know that he's not going to ask his 90 something year old cousin).


T&B

 

[LMC]

I must admit that I do on occasion ride my kids on the 4-wheeler. However, I try to remember the helmets. My DH however, takes (took) all three out on the main road w/o helmets! One day I caught him doing this (I had to go somewhere and forgot something and had to return home; well when I saw him on the main road, I laid into him.) That was totally stupid. I told him that if I ever saw (or heard) of him doing it again that I would call the sheriff because I am not going to risk losing my kids because he is doing something stupid (riding 3 kids on a main road w/o helmets on a 4-wheeler which is illegal!) and I knew about it. I am not going to be charged w/ neglect (knowing of the activity and not stopping it) just because he is being stupid. Now they travel through the woods but still at a much too high rate of speed for my liking!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

It absolutely sickens me that BF and I take more time and effort to make sure our DOG is safe in the car than some people do with their CHILDREN.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
ATVs are dangerous when used by one person let alone multiples, how tragic....

my best friends wife almost died in an ATV accident a year ago, they were riding on a family members property, she was going up an, it stalled started going backwards she hit the brakes and it flipped on her, she was pinned under it her chest and face were crushed, the hospital told my friend to prepare for the worst, her lungs were filling up with fluids, her body was so swollen he said she looked like the Michelin man...4-5 days later she made a turn for the better, and has recovered, her face is disfigured but she's alive.....

do a simple search for atv accidents and see how many horror stories are out there......

Very scary! She's lucky to be alive.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by LMC
I must admit that I do on occasion ride my kids on the 4-wheeler. However, I try to remember the helmets. My DH however, takes (took) all three out on the main road w/o helmets! One day I caught him doing this (I had to go somewhere and forgot something and had to return home; well when I saw him on the main road, I laid into him.) That was totally stupid. I told him that if I ever saw (or heard) of him doing it again that I would call the sheriff because I am not going to risk losing my kids because he is doing something stupid (riding 3 kids on a main road w/o helmets on a 4-wheeler which is illegal!) and I knew about it. I am not going to be charged w/ neglect (knowing of the activity and not stopping it) just because he is being stupid. Now they travel through the woods but still at a much too high rate of speed for my liking!

Maybe show your husband this thread or any other info you can find about how important the safety precautions are.

T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
It absolutely sickens me that BF and I take more time and effort to make sure our DOG is safe in the car than some people do with their CHILDREN.

Yep! Very sad, indeed! Do you have a harness for your dog? If I can ever to get our dog to stop throwing up in the van then I want to get her a harness. Besides protecting her, it would mean that she is not a projectile injuring others in the van if we were in an accident. I'm also paranoid about us getting into a crash and then the dog getting loose.

T&B

 

[syncer55]

Its sad to see some people care more about their pets than kids.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by syncer55
Its sad to see some people care more about their pets than kids.

I don't think this moron would have taken any better care of a pet than her own children.

But yes, there are some people who take better care of pets than some people do of their own kids.

We take better care of our dog than our downstairs neighbors do of their 3 year old.

Examples :

We do not let Monty (the dog) ride in front seat of the car anymore. Our neighbors 3 yo is in the front seat ALL THE TIME when we see them pulling up.

We do not allow Monty to play in the back yard when we are not out there with them. The neighbors 3 yo. is often seen running around the front yard /street (there's no front yard fence) alone with no supervision.

We do not let Monty stay in the direct sunlight on hot days unless we have stuff to keep him cool. The 3 yo is often wearing nothing but a diaper and no sunscreen (i asked...the mother just said 'why, she don't need sunscreen')

We will not skimp on food for Monty or for his vet care/medicine. I have heard the "mother" telling the "father" (not the biological father but just some BF of hers who lives there) that she was not going to pay XXX amount of $$ to take Maddy to the doctor.

I could go on....

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Yep! Very sad, indeed! Do you have a harness for your dog? If I can ever to get our dog to stop throwing up in the van then I want to get her a harness. Besides protecting her, it would mean that she is not a projectile injuring others in the van if we were in an accident. I'm also paranoid about us getting into a crash and then the dog getting loose.

T&B

Outward Hound makes some great car harnesses. We had a car seat but he does not like being elevated, so now we just strap him into the back in the harness. He can still look out the window and everything and I feel better knowing he is safe.

We used to ride with him in the front tethered to the front seatbelt and on someone's lap, until someone pointed out that if we have an airbag, it could go off an hurt him. No more front seat riding for Monty.