Lakeland, FL : Boy, 5, killed in ATV crash north of Lakela on Saturday, November 12th 2016

A 5-year-old boy was killed Saturday afternoon when the ATV he was riding on with his father rolled over north of Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Eli Heard was riding with his father, 32-year-old Joshua Heard of Old Dade City Road in Lakeland, when the crash occurred about 12:10 p.m. near 3705 West Socrum Loop Road in the Kathleen area. "Eli was sitting in front of his father on the ATV, wearing a soft helmet,'' the Sheriff's Office said.

Joshua Heard "was operating the ATV southbound on a dirt road when he made a U-turn, accelerated, and went northbound over a grass mound, after which the passenger side front tire support arm broke, causing the ATV to roll several times, ejecting both occupants," the Sheriff's Office said.

The father and son were taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where Eli was declared deceased. His father suffered possible broken ribs, the Sheriff's Office said.

Source :
Boy, 5, killed in ATV crash north of Lakela