5-year-old dies after runaway ATV crashes into block wall, Arizona sheriff says

A 5-year-old boy died Saturday, March 19, in an all-terrain vehicle crash when his vehicle’s throttle may have gotten stuck, Arizona sheriff’s officials reported.

The boy was riding the ATV on a Lake Havasu City street at 1:49 p.m. when it began speeding out of control, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Investigators believe the ATV’s throttle may have gotten stuck open and the child was unable to stop it, sheriff’s officials said.

A family member, also on an ATV, tried to ride alongside and pull the boy off but failed, the release said.

The child, who was wearing a helmet, crashed through a fence and into a block wall, sheriff’s officials reported.

Emergency crews responding to 911 calls took the 5-year-old to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries, the release said.

An investigation into the accident continues, sheriff’s officials said. There are no indications of criminal activity.

This story was originally published March 20, 2022 at 3:06 PM with the headline "5-year-old dies after runaway ATV crashes into block wall, Arizona sheriff says."