BEAUMONT, Texas — Four children and their grandmother are in the hospital after a rollover crash involving an all-terrain vehicle, also known as ATV, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS Troopers responded Friday around 3:15 p.m. to the crash that happened at the intersection of Island Road and Powers Road in Jefferson County.
The preliminary investigation shows a 2021 Polaris Ranger was traveling on Brush Island Road at a high speed when the driver tried to make a left turn onto Powers Road.
The 8-year-old driver instead lost control of the vehicle. The ATV rolled over several times before coming to a stopping point.
The driver and three other children, with ages ranging from 10-13, were taken to St. Elizabeth hospital. They are expected to live, DPS says.
The fifth passenger in the ATV was the grandmother of the children. Wendi Martinez, 55, of Houston, was taken to Hermann Memorial hospital in Houston by a medical helicopter. DPS says Martinez has serious injuries.
In 2019, more than 15,000 ATV deaths were reported, according to the consumer product safety commission. It's one of the main reasons DPS Sergeant Stephanie Davis says ATV's shouldn't be operated on public roadways, especially by a younger child.
“With everything that's going on, seeing an 8-year-old injured is difficult,” Davis said.
This investigation is ongoing. Davis said it's too soon to know if anyone could face charges.
“We have to look at other factors,” Davis said. “Children as young as eight, do they really have the capacity and ability to control ATV? If something happens do they safely know how to maneuver it. Those are the two crucial issues to look at.”
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
