What Happened

What Happened

• On Saturday, August 30, 2025, a fatal crash occurred at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Piedmont, Alabama, involving two off-road side-by-side vehicles (RZRs). One carried nine family members—Marcus Ragland (34), Ashley Hawkins (31), and seven children aged between 1 and 12 years old. The other ATV had two occupants who were uninjured.People.com+1AP News

• The overloaded ATV, reportedly traveling at high speed, collided with the other vehicle, traveled around 150 feet, overturned, and struck a tree.New York PostAP NewsPeople.com

Victims

• Marcus Ragland was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Ashley Hawkins was airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries.People.com+1AP News

• Seven children—siblings—were injured:

  • Ages ranged from 1 to 12.

  • Several were airlifted to trauma centers in Birmingham; others were transported to a hospital in Rome, Georgia.AP NewsPeople.com

  • Reportedly severe injuries included a skull fracture, broken collarbone, and spleen trauma.New York Posthttps://www.wsaw.com

Underlying Concerns

• None of the occupants—adults or children—were wearing safety harnesses or restraints, which, although not required at the park, were advised against not using.People.comNew York PostAP Newshttps://www.wsaw.com

• The crash site’s remote mountainous terrain complicated rescue and emergency response.AP NewsPeople.comNew York Post

• Safety officials emphasized the urgent need for restraint use in UTVs to prevent such tragedies.People.comAP News

Voices of Grief

• Ragland’s mother, Felecia Towers, shared her deep sorrow:

  “This is just so hard to deal with. It’s just so hard.”People.comhttps://www.wsaw.com

• A close friend, Maya Boyett, reflected on the couple’s character:

  “They are both two good people, good to their kids, and I really hate that they’re gone now.”People.comhttps://www.wsaw.com

Summary Table