wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Coroner: 11-year-old killed in ATV crash not wearing a helmet

KERSHAW COUNTY, SC (WIS) - An ATV accident in Kershaw County has left a 11-year-old boy dead, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The coroner said Kyle Kelly died from blunt force trauma and head injuries.

The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Green Hill and Whitehead Roads. Troopers said it was along a dirt portion of the road.

They said the 2004 Suzuki ATV was traveling east when it went off the side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned.

The boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to the coroner. He died at the scene.

A close friend of the family, Chad Branham, said the 11-year-old was a 6th grader at Stover Elementary who loved the outdoors. "That's one of the great things about living in the country," he said. "You get to explore the outdoors and everything it has to offer."

But Kyle's fondness for exploring ended up taking his life. "I spoke to his mother," said Branham. "She was just beside herself. She said her baby boy was taken from her."

Branham said Kyle often rode ATV's and may not have thought he needed a helmet. "I guess that's kinda what led to this accident, being overconfident and not fearing or respecting the machine," he said.

Branham thinks the tragedy should be a wake-up call to other outdoor enthusiasts. "Safety precautions are there for a reason, and people should follow them to a tee," he said.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office are both investigating the crash.

Governor Nikki Haley recently signed a bill into law May 11th tightening safety rules for young ATV riders into law. The law requires anyone under 16 riding an ATV to wear a helmet and take a safety course.

It's referred to as "Chandler's Law, named after a Swansea teen who died in an ATV crash in 2003.

In Saturday's crash though, the law wasn't broken because the new helmet and safety restrictions do not take effect until July 1st.

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