Table 1 Family-related ATV deaths in West Virginia, 2001–mid 2007
YearTotalannualdeathsMonthoccurredGender,position on ATV,relationAge ofdecedentCrash eventInjuryComments
200120JulyMale, passenger, grandson5ATV went over embankment and flipped when ATV was put in reverseMassive head injuriesNo helmets; grandmother was driving ATV with twin 5-year-old grandsons as passengers. She and surviving grandson treated and released
200227MarchFemale, driver, mother34ATV went off dirt road and hit treeMassive head traumaDaughter was a passenger
JulyMale, passenger, grandfather73ATV plunged down a steep embankment on a private dirt roadMultiple trauma12-year-old grandson was the driver; he had little experience operating an ATV
200335MayFemale, passenger, grandmother56ATV went out of control in U-turn causing victim to fall and hit head on pavementClosed head injuryPassenger not helmeted. 6-year-old grandson driving ATV
Male, passenger, son83-wheeled ATV struck steel gate at cemetery entranceBlunt head traumaFather was driving ATV; no helmets
200539JuneFemale, passenger, sister8ATV went out of control on a road curve and rolled overMultiple head and chest injuriesNo helmets; 14-year-old sister was the driver, slightly injured. Sisters were visiting their mother
200652MayMale, driver, grandson10ATV went into ditch causing passenger to fall off; ATV came out of ditch and flipped over on driverCrushing force traumaNo helmets; grandfather was passenger
JulyFemale, passenger, wife29ATV left road and hit treeBlunt traumaHusband was driver and also injured
AugustMale, driver, brother25ATV went out of control on rural roadTraumatic brain injuryDriver and passenger not helmeted. Brother riding as passenger
AugustMale, driver, father, uncle49ATV flipped backwards on a steep hillMultipleDriver not helmeted; daughter and nephew riding as passengers treated and released
2007*19MayMale, driver, brother14ATV hit utility pole at high speed doing “wheelie”MultipleNo helmets. Younger brother was passenger and was slightly injured
  • *Through May 2007.