Lakeland, FL : 20-year-old man killed in ATV accident on Old Dade City Road early Saturday, April 23, 2016

A 20-year-old died early Saturday when he was thrown from an all-terrain vehicle on Old Dade City Road, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Hunter Tyer, of 400 J.E.H. Road in Lakelandm and his cousin James Tyer, 24, of Lakeland, were heading west on Old Dade City Road in a green side-by-side ATV when it left the roadway and struck a concrete mailbox at 10425 Old Dade City Road, reports said.

After striking the mailbox it appeared the ATV turned sharply and came to rest in a drainage ditch on the north side of the road, said Donna Wood, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

Hunter Tyer, the driver, was ejected from the ATV and later died of his injuries, the Sheriff's Office said.

James Tyer sustained minor abrasions from the crash, Wood said.

The ATV had seat belts but neither of the men were wearing one, according to the Sheriff's Office. Reports said they were also not wearing helmets.

There is no indication of other vehicles being involved and no witnesses to the crash were located, Wood said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Hunter Tyer's Facebook page was flooded with posts from friends and family Saturday both grieving and in shock over his sudden death.

"Lost a good friend last night who had a big heart and was always willing to give you the shirt off his back," wrote Nathan Watkins.

A Gofundme page was created by Heather Kohler Manley for Tyer's family and raised $920 in six hours.

"If you knew Hunter he would make you smile no matter what," Manley wrote. "This young man was taken from his family and friends way too soon."

Source :
20-year-old Lakeland man killed in ATV accident