Decatur, AL : Three killed New Year's Eve in ATV accident on Sunday, January 1st 2017

Three people were killed and a fourth injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident that happened late New Year’s Eve near Anderson.

“All of them lived in the Rogersville community and were known by a lot of people. This is shocked us all,” said Rogersville Mayor Richard Herston. “It’s really sad that something like this happened.”

According to troopers, Ricky Neal Smith, 57, Lauderdale 55, Rogersville, Christopher Dewayne Holt, 42, Lauderdale 544, Rogersville and Shanna Thornton Smith, 37, Lauderdale 52, Rogersville, were all killed in the crash.

A fourth person, Angela Smith, 52, Rogersville, who authorities said is Ricky Smith’s wife, was taken to Athens Hospital and then transferred to Huntsville Hospital.

Family friends said Sunday she treated and later released from the hospital.

Reports indicate the accident happened at 8:40 p.m. on Lauderdale 547, five miles north of Rogersville.

Authorities said all four were in a Polaris Ranger ATV that ran off the roadway and hit a tree head-on.

Rogersville Police Chief Terry Holden said one of his officers was working a call with Anderson Police Chief Butch Collins when the wreck was called in.

“He said when it got there it was bad,” Holden said.

Holden said the officer said Angela Smith was talking and told him who all was involved in the wreck.

Ricky Smith, Holt and Shanna Smith were all pronounced dead at the scene by Lauderdale County Deputy Coroners Butch Tucker and Clint Grissom.

“This is so sad for these families and their loved ones. Our prayers are with them,” Herston said.

“It’s terrible thing. Such a sad way to end the year,” Holden said.

The accident remains under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Quad-Cities Troopers Post.

Source :
Three killed New Year's Eve in ATV accident