A holiday weekend turned into unimaginable heartbreak when a tragic accident at Indian Mountain ATV Park in Piedmont, Alabama, claimed the lives of Marcus Ragland (34) and Ashley Brooke Hawkins (31), a young couple from Rome, Georgia.
The pair were enjoying time with their family when the ATV carrying them and their seven children, ages 1 to 12, overturned after a collision and struck a tree. Neither the parents nor the children had been wearing seatbelts, according to investigators.
Marcus was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ashley passed away shortly after being transported to a hospital. Their children, injured but alive, were rushed to multiple medical centers. Four were flown to Birmingham for urgent treatment, while three were taken by ambulance to Rome, Georgia.
Rescue efforts were challenging due to the rough terrain of the park, and emergency crews had to be guided by staff to reach the crash site. Officials say they are still reviewing the cause of the accident, with further tests underway.
Family and friends describe Marcus and Ashley as devoted parents whose lives revolved around their children. The loss has left the community shaken, with neighbors and loved ones offering prayers and support for the seven young children now facing life without their parents.
This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life — and the strength of love that continues even in loss.