A Father's Last Adventure Turns Tragic

A family is left shattered after a thrilling weekend outing turned into a nightmare. Marcus Ragland, a 34-year-old adventurous soul from north Georgia, lost his life in an ATV accident at the Indian Mountain ATV Park in Alabama. His mother, Felicia Towers, is still in shock, struggling to accept that her son won't be walking through the door again. "He loved life and lived it to the fullest, " she said, her voice heavy with grief. The accident also claimed the life of Ashley Hawkins, the mother of two of Ragland's children. Audrey Dunn, who shares two young children with Ragland, is now faced with the heartbreaking task of explaining his absence to her 5-year-old son. "He told me, 'Mom, my dad died, but it's OK because he'll be back to get me tomorrow, '" Dunn shared, her words painting a picture of a child's innocence clashing with the harsh reality of loss. Seven children were also injured in the crash. Four were treated and released, while three remain hospitalized. The accident occurred when a side-by-side RZR collided with another RZR, overturned, and struck a tree. Authorities described the rescue as challenging due to the remote location. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but it's known that the RZR was traveling at a high speed and was overloaded with nine people, none of whom were harnessed. Ragland leaves behind a large family, with ten children and two more on the way. A GoFundMe has been set up to support them, with a goal of $2, 400. As of now, over $1, 300 has been raised, a testament to the community's support. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety during recreational activities. It's a call to action for all of us to prioritize caution and responsibility, especially when children are involved.