A Labor Day weekend outing turned catastrophic at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Piedmont when a side-by-side vehicle crash claimed the lives of two parents and left seven children injured, some now orphaned.
As the Cherokee County community grapples with the tragedy that occurred on August 30, 2025, legal questions are mounting about whether basic safety measures could have prevented this devastating loss.
The Tragic Incident
The crash at Indian Mountain ATV Park involved a Polaris RZR side-by-side vehicle carrying nine people—two adults and seven children.
Marcus Ragland, father to six of the children aboard, died in the accident alongside Ashley Hawkins, who was the mother to three of the children, including two she shared with Ragland.
The complexity of the family relationships affected by this single incident underscores its far-reaching impact:
- Marcus Ragland leaves behind six children who were in the vehicle.
- Ashley Hawkins was mother to three of those children.
- Two children lost both parents in the crash.
- All seven children sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
While all surviving children have since been released from the hospital and are recovering, the emotional and psychological scars of losing one or both parents in such traumatic circumstances will last a lifetime.
Legal Action and Safety Concerns
Brandon Price-Crum of the Serious Injury Law Group, representing four of the seven surviving children, has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
While no lawsuit has been filed as of September 10, 2025, the attorney expressed strong concerns about the ATV park’s safety protocols.
“This is a devastating incident that I don’t wish on anybody,” Price-Crum stated. “No family should have to go through this. These children are now having to grow up – some of them without both parents.”
The attorney’s investigation focuses on what he characterizes as preventable factors:
- Alleged lack of basic safety regulations implementation.
- Inadequate rule enforcement at the facility.
- Emergency response preparedness concerns.
“It should not have happened,” Price-Crum emphasized. “It’s preventable. There are ATV parks all over the country.
There are ATV parks in other countries, and there are just basic regulations for safety that those parks implement, and we don’t believe that this park implemented those basic necessities for safety.”
Emergency Response Under Scrutiny
A significant point of contention involves the emergency response time to the accident.
While Cherokee County EMA Director Shawn Rogers stated during a press conference that first responders reached the crash site in 18 minutes, Price-Crum argues this response time was excessive given the severity of the injuries.
“On the other side of it, it took first responders an extreme amount of time to get to these injured individuals and it shouldn’t have been that way,” the attorney stated. His concerns center on whether the ATV park had adequate emergency planning in place.
Key issues raised about emergency preparedness include:
- Whether the park had a comprehensive emergency response plan.
- Accessibility of the crash site for emergency vehicles.
- Communication protocols between the park and first responders.
- Medical resources available on-site for immediate care.
“They should’ve had an emergency plan in place to ensure that emergency first responders could be on scene and get to injured parties as quickly as possible,” Price-Crum explained.
“They should’ve made sure they had that plan in place so that harm could’ve been prevented on one end or the extent of the harm could’ve been prevented on the other end.”
Industry Standards and Safety Expectations
The attorney’s comments highlight a broader conversation about safety standards at recreational vehicle parks across Alabama and nationwide.
His assertion that “the lack of rule enforcement is the same as the lack of rules” points to potential gaps between written policies and actual practices at such facilities.
Recreational vehicle parks typically face expectations to maintain:
- Clear safety guidelines for vehicle operation.
- Age and size restrictions for riders.
- Required safety equipment protocols.
- Trail difficulty ratings and access controls.
- Emergency access routes and communication systems.
The tragedy at Indian Mountain ATV Park raises questions about whether these industry-standard safety measures were adequately implemented and enforced.
The Path Forward
As the Serious Injury Law Group continues its investigation, they report having sent requests to Indian Mountain ATV Park to investigate the crash site. As of September 9, 2025, they had not received a response from the facility.
Price-Crum articulated the primary goal of potential legal action: “The most important thing is that they have the support and resources they need to still be successful, that they have the care and the love to be able to grow up and try to have somewhat of a normal life after this.”
The focus on the children’s future needs encompasses:
- Financial support for their upbringing and education.
- Access to counseling and mental health services.
- Ensuring stable guardianship arrangements.
- Long-term medical care for any lasting injuries.
This case underscores the devastating consequences that can result when recreational activities go wrong and highlights the importance of robust safety measures at entertainment venues hosting potentially dangerous activities.
Let Justice Roll
When recreational activities result in tragedy, families face overwhelming challenges beyond their grief. Understanding your legal rights and options becomes essential for securing the resources needed to move forward, especially when children have lost parents or suffered serious injuries.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys here at Baxley Maniscalco have extensive knowledge of premises liability cases and recreational facility accidents.
We understand the complexities involved when investigating safety failures, emergency response issues, and the long-term needs of injured children.
Whether pursuing claims against property owners, examining insurance coverage options, or ensuring proper guardianship and estate planning for orphaned children, we provide compassionate, comprehensive legal support during your family’s most difficult time.
Contact Baxley Maniscalco at (256) 770-7232 for a confidential consultation about protecting your family’s rights and securing the resources needed for recovery and stability.
