Marcus Ragland, Ashley Brooke Hawkins Death News – On Monday, the Cherokee County coroner released the names of two people who lost their lives in a tragic ATV crash that happened over the weekend at Indian Mountain ATV Park. The crash, which took place on Saturday, involved two side-by-side off-road vehicles and resulted in multiple injuries, including those of several children.
According to local authorities, nine people were riding in a Polaris RZR when it collided with another off-road vehicle. The impact caused the RZR to overturn and crash into a tree. The crash proved fatal for the driver and one of the passengers.
The driver of the ATV, identified as 34-year-old Marcus Ragland of Rome, Georgia, was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Ashley Brooke Hawkins, 31, also of Rome, suffered critical injuries. She was transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where she later died despite efforts to save her life.
In addition to the two adults, the ATV was carrying seven children ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old. Authorities said all of the children sustained injuries in the wreck and were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been released, but officials confirmed that none of the children were killed in the accident.
Coroner Paul McDonald confirmed the identities of Ragland and Hawkins, noting that both families have been notified. Their deaths have left a deep impact on the Rome, Georgia, community where they lived, as well as among those familiar with the popular ATV park.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Officials have not yet released details about how the collision occurred, nor have they stated whether any safety violations or other contributing factors have been identified. Investigators are working to determine the events that led up to the crash and whether the number of passengers in the ATV played a role in the severity of the incident.
Indian Mountain ATV Park is a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts, attracting riders from across the region. However, accidents like this one highlight the risks that come with recreational vehicle use, especially when large numbers of passengers are involved. The Polaris RZR involved in the crash was carrying more occupants than such vehicles are typically designed for, a factor authorities may examine as part of their investigation.
The loss of Ragland and Hawkins has left two families grieving while seven children continue to recover from their injuries. Authorities have not disclosed the conditions of the young passengers, but local hospitals are providing care and updates will be shared as the investigation progresses.
For now, law enforcement officials are urging caution for all ATV riders and reminding the public about the importance of following safety guidelines when using off-road vehicles. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full picture of what led to this devastating crash.
