Over the weekend, a drunk driver struck and killed a teen that was riding an ATV in Burke County. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, 14-year-old Jacob Wright and his friend were riding an ATV when they were struck by an SUV. Wright was killed in the wreck, and his friend was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. The driver, Steve Carroll, was charged with DWI and driving with a revoked license. In addition to having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle at the time of the crash, he also admitted to taking pain pills. His three-year-old granddaughter was in the vehicle at the time of the crash too.
Fatal ATV Crash in Burke County
The teens on the ATV were reportedly coming out of a driveway at the time of the crash. Carroll said he didn’t see them until the last second. Neither teen was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. They were riding on the road. Additionally, there has been no word on the hospitalized teen’s condition or the full extent of injuries involved. This case is likely still under investigation, and additional charges could be filed.
ATV Crash Statistics
- In 2015, approximately 97,200 people were injured in ATV crashes in the U.S.
- 28 percent of those injuries happened to children under the age of 16.
- North Carolina is on the top-10 list for ATV fatalities across the U.S.
- On average, 123 children under the age of 16 die in ATV crashes every year.
- An average of 563 adults die in ATV crashes each year.
- 33 percent of fatal crashes occurred on paved surfaces.
All Terrain Vehicle Accidents in Asheville
ATV and 4-wheeler crashes can be devastating, catastrophic and even fatal for riders, especially when larger passenger occupant vehicles are involved. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in an ATV accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact a skilled Personal Injury lawyer about your case immediately.
The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. sends their deepest condolences to Jacob Wright’s family members, friends and loved ones.