Update: Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Finds Driver at Fault in Fatal ATV Crash at Indian Mountain ATV Park Over Labor Day Weekend
- The Weekly Ledger
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News
SPRING GARDEN, Ala. — New details have been released in the investigation of a fatal ATV crash at Indian Mountain ATV Park over the Labor Day weekend that claimed the lives of two adults and left seven children injured.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the crash occurred on August 30 when Marcus Ragland, 34, of Rome, Georgia, was driving a Polaris RZR eastbound at an estimated 45 miles per hour on the wrong side of the trail. Investigators say Ragland’s vehicle collided with a Can-Am Maverick carrying two riders, before overturning and striking a tree.
Ragland was ejected from the ATV and pronounced dead at the scene by Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald. His passenger, Ashley Hawkins, 31, also of Rome, was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where she later died from her injuries.
Seven children along with the two adults were riding in Ragland’s Polaris despite the vehicle being built to hold only four occupants. All seven children suffered injuries in the crash.
The Sheriff’s Office report notes that the Maverick sustained significant damage, though its driver and passenger were not injured and attempted to assist victims at the scene. Witnesses told investigators that Ragland had been driving at a high rate of speed.
One witness further reported that a group of individuals removed alcohol and a cooler from the crash site before authorities arrived. In the days following the accident, investigators also recovered marijuana near the scene and discovered suspected fentanyl pills inside the victims’ SUVs.
Toxicology reports for Ragland are still pending, according to Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald, and the investigation remains ongoing.
This tragedy comes as part of a growing concern over ATV safety at Indian Mountain ATV Park, which has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent years.
👉 This article is an update to our original coverage: Fatal ATV Accident at Indian Mountain ATV Park Leaves Two Dead, Seven Injured.