A deadly collision at an Alabama off-road park on Saturday afternoon killed two adults and injured seven children, all from the same family in Rome, Georgia. The accident occurred at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Piedmont, Cherokee County, when an overcrowded side-by-side ATV traveling at high speed collided with another vehicle before overturning and striking a tree.
Marcus Ragland, 34, was driving the Polaris RZR with eight passengers when the crash occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on August 31, 2025. Ragland was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The female passenger, Ashley Brooke Hawkins, 31, was airlifted to University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, where she later died from her injuries.
Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver indicated that witnesses reported Ragland was operating the ATV at a high rate of speed when it struck the other vehicle, whose driver attempted to avoid the collision. The impact caused the overcrowded vehicle to travel an additional 150 feet before rolling over and hitting a tree in what authorities described as a remote section of the park.
Seven children, ranging in age from one to 12 years old, sustained injuries in the crash. Four children were transported by medical helicopters to trauma centers in Birmingham, while four others were taken by ambulance to medical facilities in Rome, Georgia. According to family members, the most severely injured child is Ragland’s 13-year-old son, who suffered a skull fracture.
Cherokee County Coroner Paul McDonald confirmed that Ragland was the father of all seven children involved in the accident, while Hawkins was the mother of three of those children. The couple had two children together, and Ragland was reportedly the father of 10 children total. Family members described both victims as devoted parents who were well-regarded in their community.
Emergency responders faced significant challenges reaching the crash site due to its remote location within the sprawling park. Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency Director Shawn Rogers reported that first responders arrived at the scene within 18 minutes of being dispatched, despite requiring park staff to escort them to the location.
The investigation revealed critical safety violations that may have contributed to the severity of the accident. Rogers confirmed that none of the nine occupants in the crashed ATV were wearing safety harnesses or restraints at the time of the collision. The vehicle was also significantly overcrowded, carrying nine people in a side-by-side ATV designed for fewer passengers.
Cherokee County officials emphasized the importance of following manufacturer guidelines and safety protocols when operating recreational vehicles. Rogers stated, “There’s nothing that says that everybody that gets in a side-by-side has to restrained.” He added that personal responsibility must be taken to ensure the safety of all passengers, particularly when children are involved.
The sheriff’s office is awaiting toxicology results to determine whether alcohol played a role in the accident. This investigation is particularly relevant given that Cherokee County has maintained prohibition-era alcohol restrictions, making it illegal to possess alcohol outside of municipalities within the county.
Indian Mountain ATV Park, located approximately 75 miles northeast of Birmingham near the Georgia border, markets itself as one of the largest private off-road parks in the South. The facility encompasses more than 4,700 acres in the Appalachian Mountain range and offers various recreational activities including trail riding, camping, and fishing.
The park’s safety rules explicitly state that all riders must wear seat belts and safety harnesses while operating vehicles. However, enforcement of these regulations appears to be limited due to the park’s vast size and remote terrain, making constant monitoring of all areas impractical.
The two occupants of the second ATV involved in the collision were not injured and attempted to provide assistance following the crash. Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Spring Garden Fire Department, Floyd Emergency Medical Services, Piedmont Rescue, and Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency.
Family members have established a GoFundMe campaign to support the surviving children and cover medical expenses for those still hospitalized. As of recent reports, four of the injured children have been discharged from hospitals, while three remain under medical care in Birmingham-area facilities. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision with assistance from the coroner’s office.
