Anthony Thomas Cowgill Obituary, Death News – A man from Flat Rock lost his life, and a woman from Georgia was injured in a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and an SUV on Sunday in Pontiac, Michigan, according to authorities.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported that the crash occurred around 4:55 p.m. at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Melrose Street. Preliminary findings indicate that a 1987 Yamaha 30 ATV was heading east on Pennsylvania Avenue when the driver failed to stop at the intersection’s stop sign. As a result, the ATV collided with a northbound 2020 GMC Terrain that was passing through the intersection.
Officials identified the ATV operator as 25-year-old Anthony Thomas Cowgill from Flat Rock. He had a passenger on board, a 31-year-old woman from Macon, Georgia. Authorities confirmed that the ATV was not legal for road use and that neither occupant was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The SUV was driven by a 37-year-old woman from Pontiac. She was wearing her seatbelt and was unharmed during the incident.
Emergency medical personnel transported Cowgill to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead due to his injuries. His passenger was also taken to a hospital and is currently listed in stable condition, officials said.
The crash remains under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies are continuing to review the circumstances that led to the incident, including whether any additional factors such as speed or visibility played a role. So far, no criminal charges have been announced.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard issued a public statement following the crash, expressing his concern about the misuse of off-road vehicles on public roads. “Once again, a preventable tragedy has occurred,” he stated. “An individual illegally operating an ATV lost his life, and his passenger was seriously injured. Incidents like this underscore the importance of safety and proper equipment use to help avoid such heartbreaking outcomes.”
The tragedy highlights broader safety concerns tied to off-road vehicles (ORVs), including ATVs, utility task vehicles, and snowmobiles. According to the Michigan State Police, the state recorded 396 ORV-related crashes in 2023. Of those, 22 were fatal, an increase from 21 in 2022, even though the total number of ORV crashes dropped 13% from the previous year’s 460.
By comparison, in 2019, Michigan had 284 reported ORV-related accidents, including seven fatal crashes that resulted in seven deaths. These statistics show that while crash numbers have fluctuated, fatalities involving ORVs continue to be a serious issue in the state.
Sunday’s crash serves as another reminder of the dangers of operating off-road vehicles on public roadways, especially when safety guidelines and traffic laws are ignored. Authorities urge riders to use ORVs only in designated areas, wear helmets, and ensure they follow legal and safety requirements to prevent further tragedies.
