Toddler dies in ATV crash
An all-terrain vehicle flipped and killed a toddler Saturday evening, according to El Paso police.
The four-year-old child and the child’s 33-year-old uncle were in a desert area near the 12700 block of Pebble Hills Boulevard.
Both were ejected off of the ATV after breaking, the vehicle then rolled.
A passerby, who was flagged down near the scene of the crash, took the child to Sierra Providence East where the toddler later died.
Neighbors had no idea the crash occurred. No one recalled hearing sirens or seeing flashing lights.
“It’s horrible,” said Daniel Ortiz. “It’s a horrible tragedy. no family wants to go through anything like that.”
Melissa Portillo has two boys, ages 5 and 6. She said her brother has several ATVs, but she doesn’t let her boys anywhere near them.
“I just don’t feel that they’re safe,” Portillo said. “(My priority is) of course, their safety at all times. Just to make sure they’re safe: that any accident that can be avoided.”
According to one Texas law firm, there is no state law that prohibits certain ages from riding all-terrain vehicles. The law states that children under 14 should be supervised by a person over the age of 18, as authorized by the child’s parent or guardian.
