Tuesday, September 30, 2025–9:55 a.m.
-WEIS Radio-
New details have been released in connection with the late August accident at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Cherokee County, Alabama, that claimed the lives of two adults and left seven children injured.
According to official incident reports, confirmed by WEIS News in Centre, the driver of the ATV involved, Marcus Ragland, was determined to be at fault in the crash. Ragland died at the scene, while Ashley Hawkins was airlifted from the park and later pronounced dead.
Investigators say Ragland’s ATV had collided with another vehicle before he lost control, resulting in the fatal accident.
Witness statements included in the report note that alcohol was removed from the scene by a group of individuals immediately following the crash. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also reported locating marijuana near the accident site, along with pills suspected to be fentanyl, during the days that followed in the ongoing investigation.
Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald recently told WEIS Radio that toxicology results for Ragland remain pending, and it could take some time before the reports are finalized.
