‘Family and friends are devastated.’ Eastern Kentucky teen killed in ATV crash, police say
A 16-year-old high school student was killed Tuesday in an ATV crash, according to Kentucky State Police.
The crash happened on Old House Branch Road in Knott County. KSP said Diamont G. Caudill was on an ATV that was being towed by another ATV when it flipped, ejecting Caudill. Caudill goes by Gage, according to social media posts.
Caudill was transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to KSP. Caudill was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
Caudill’s body will undergo an autopsy, KSP said. The incident remains under investigation.
Caudill was a student at Knott County Central High School and played on the varsity football team, according to social media posts and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s website. A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for the family. The goal of the page is to raise $15,000.
“Gage Caudill has gained his wings far (too) soon and family and friends are devastated,” said Alyssa Drummonds, a friend of the family and the GoFundMe page’s creator. “I am making this to try to put the family at ease in such a terrible time to take the weight off their shoulders.”
It’s the second serious ATV incident reported by KSP this week. On Monday two people were sent to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital with serious injuries after an ATV flipped on Kentucky 744 in Taylor County. The driver was charged with DUI, first-degree wanton endangerment and other traffic offenses, KSP said.
The ATV Safety Institute, a national non-profit organization out of California, provides a list of eight golden rules when it comes to safely riding ATVs on its website. The eight rules are:
- Always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet.
- Never ride on paved roads except to cross lawfully.
- Never ride under the influence.
- Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV.
- Ride an ATV that’s appropriate for your age.
- Supervise ATV riders younger than 16 years old.
- Ride on designated trails.
- Take a hands-on learning course for ATV riding.
The organization also provides training courses for riders of all ages.
This story was originally published July 26, 2023 at 11:01 AM.
