Investigation Continues in Deadly ATV Crash

Bradley County investigators are trying to figure out what went wrong Sunday night when two ATV's collided head-on, killing 17-year-old Steven Wright and critically injuring 16-year-old Tanner Headrick.

Bradley County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Gault said Monday "it's a very unfortunate situation."

It all happened quickly on the gravel driveway that connects a house and barn along Red Clay Park Road. Both teenagers were each riding an ATV about 9:30 at night.

"Obviously it was dark, but I don't know if the ATV's had their headlights on or if they just didn't see one another, that's still unclear," Gault said.

Bradley County Sheriff's Office traffic investigators are trying to figure out what contributed to the crash.

"The victim, the 17-year-old, was going toward the barn while the youth was on the other ATV coming back in the opposite direction, going back toward Red Clay Park Road and they collided head-on," Gault explained.

Tanner was first taken to Skyridge Hospital in Cleveland, then flown to Erlanger Medical Center Monday morning for more extensive treatment.

Meanwhile, Gault issued a word of caution about ATV's that become popular gifts around the holidays, especially for people who live out in the country.

"That you operate it safely and your wear safety equipment such as a helmet because these are motorized machines like a motorcycle," Gault said.

As of late Monday afternoon Tanner remained in critical condition at Erlanger.

After checking several medical and safety sources we learned that ATV's cause more than 150,000 injuries nationwide each year that need treatment in an emergency room. And every year more than 600 people are killed riding ATV's.

Tennessee is ranked among the top-ten states for ATV deaths.