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12-year-old is third Georgia child to die in ATV accident within a week

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia 12-year-old died after an ATV crash on Thursday marking at least the third deadly ATV accident involving a child within a week.

Georgia State Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash on Riddleville Mt. Moriah Road around 2:40 p.m.

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Troopers said a pair of 12-year-olds were on a Polaris Ranger that left the roadway. The passenger was thrown from the ATV, which overturned and killed the child.

Paramedics took the 12-year-old driver to the hospital in Sandersville. The survivor’s condition is unknown. Troopers have not released the name of either victim.

This is the second deadly ATV accident that Georgia troopers have responded to since May 25.

A 13-year-old girl in Dodge County died on May 25 riding to her grandparents’ house. The teen lost control of the ATV as she was making a turn. The ATV then overturned, killing her, according to troopers.

An obituary identified the teen of Kaitlyn Breeze “Katy B” Holland. The 13-year-old was an honor roll student at Bleckley County Middle School.

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A third Georgia teen died in an ATV accident just over the state line in Alabama.

On May 26, Kyleigh Rampley of Rome was critically injured after the ATV she was driving left the roadway and overturned after riding up a wire. Rampley was ejected and taken to a hospital where she died.

An 8-year-old was also injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The child’s condition is unknown.

Rampley’s classmates celebrated her life with a balloon release Tuesday night.

“I’m going to miss her contagious smile, fiery spirit, her desire to make everyone laugh but most of all I’m going to miss the encouragement she provided me daily to be the best person that I could be,” her mother, Mallory Rampley wrote on Facebook.

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