Deputy and Girlfriend Hurt In ATV Accident
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A Baker County, Florida deputy and his girlfriend were riding their all-terrain vehicle last Sunday night when they went off the road and hit a tree in the Osceola National Forest.
Deputy Matt Sigers was a bit roughed up but was treated at the hospital and released. His girlfriend, 21-year-old Ashley Davis was not as lucky. Both suffered head injuries and she was listed in critical condition. Neither individual was wearing a helmet. Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.
Davis has since had to endure surgery to relieve pressure on the brain from a blood clot. She had her spleen removed but was able to move her toes and fingers, always a concern in a neck and head injury. She is also on a special ventilator reportedly brought in from Orlando.
Our condolences go out to both families with wishes that they pull through this accident.
State law says that helmets on ATVs are optional in Florida and in a rural area like Baker County, many riders fail to wear any safety gear. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that statewide there were at least 30 more crashes involving ATVs in 2007 than the previous year. Figures for 2008 have not been released.
And even though we don’t know whether this Yamaha was a Rhino, if it was it has a reputation as a dangerous and defectively designed. With a high center of gravity and small wheels, the Rhino can rollover easily resulting in serious injury. These are so unstable they can even role on a flat surface. At the very least a helmet should be mandatory if you care about your life and that of your passenger.