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| Photo Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office |
19-Year-Old Bartow Man Killed in ATV Crash at River Ranch Hunt Club
News Brief
• A 19-year-old Bartow man was killed in an ATV crash early Sunday morning.
• The crash occurred at the River Ranch Hunt Club near Lake Wales.
• Friends found the victim trapped underneath the overturned ATV.
• Deputies say the ATV appears to have flipped during a sharp turn in soft dirt.
• Investigators reported the victim was not wearing a helmet or safety equipment.
LAKE WALES, Fla. — A 19-year-old Bartow man lost his life early Sunday morning following an ATV crash deep inside the River Ranch Hunt Club property near Lake Wales, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the area of 18550 County Road 630 at approximately 2:34 a.m. on May 31, 2026, after receiving reports of an ATV crash.
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| Photo Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office |
Because the crash occurred several miles off the roadway in a remote area, first responders were transported to the scene by members of the Sheriff's Office Agriculture Unit.
Investigators say the young man had been riding his ATV with a group of friends who were also operating off-road vehicles. At some point during the ride, the group realized he was no longer with them.
His friends turned around and began searching for him.
When they located him, they found the ATV overturned with the victim trapped underneath. According to investigators, the man was initially semi-conscious when he was discovered but later became unresponsive.
Friends and first responders attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, but the injuries he suffered in the crash were too severe. He was pronounced deceased.
Based on evidence collected at the scene and witness statements, detectives believe the ATV overturned after the rider attempted to make a sharp turn. Investigators say the vehicle's wheels dug into soft dirt, causing the ATV to flip.
The Sheriff's Office also reported that the victim was not wearing a helmet or any other protective safety equipment at the time of the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is reminding riders to wear proper safety gear whenever operating ATVs and other off-road vehicles, as protective equipment can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury during a crash.
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