California Injury Blog
Teenager Killed in San Diego ATV Crash
Christian Don Stover, a 16-year-old boy from Alpine, died in a San Diego ATV accident on the Barona Indian Reservation just south of Ramona, according to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune. Christian and some of his friends were driving the off-road vehicles the evening of April 1, 2009 near Wildcat Canyon Road and Featherstone Canyon Road when he lost control and was ejected. Christian Don Stover was pronounced dead at the scene.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Christian Don Stover for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this young man. Please keep them in your prayers.
Hundreds of young people, especially children 16 years or younger are catastrophically injured or killed in ATV accidents each year. According to a recent study done by the Children’s Hospital of Ohio, more than 136,000 people nationwide go to emergency rooms each year as a result of ATV accident related injuries. One-third of these crashes usually involve children who are 16 years old or younger.
From the news account, it is not clear how or why this San Diego fatal ATV accident occurred. We don’t know what type of all-terrain or off-road vehicle Christian was riding. There are several unanswered questions. How did Christian lose control of the ATV? Was he under adult supervision? Was there a problem with his vehicle?
Several all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles have been recalled over the years because of their instability, propensity for rollovers and potential to cause serious injuries. Young children who have been involved in catastrophic ATV crashes suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries that could leave them disabled for the rest of their lives. Most of these vehicles tend to be top heavy and can easily tip over even at low speeds. If you believe your child has been injured or killed by a dangerous or defective ATV, please contact an experienced California ATV accident attorney who will help you obtain just compensation for your loss and/or damages. A skilled California product defect attorney will be able to determine whether a design defect or manufacturing defect caused the ATV accident.