Two adults were killed and seven children were injured after a side-by-side ATV carrying nine people collided with another vehicle, overturned and struck a tree at Indian Mountain ATV Park on Saturday afternoon.

According to Cherokee County officials, the crash happened around 3:45 p.m. in a remote section of the off-road park.

A male driver died at the scene and a female passenger later died in a Birmingham hospital. The seven injured children, ages 1 to 12, were transported to hospitals in both Alabama and Georgia.

Authorities said no one in the overturned vehicle was using restraints and toxicology results are pending.

State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre), whose district includes the ATV park, sponsored legislation during the 2025 session to create minimum operating standards for off-road parks in Cherokee County.

The Senate approved the bill 29-0, but it never cleared the Alabama House.

In a statement Sunday, Jones said “much of this could have been avoided,” and that the emergency-services contracts and mapping requirements in his bill were designed to streamline response in remote areas and reduce burdens on local medics.

“Summer and I were deeply saddened by this Labor Day Weekend’s tragedy at Indian Mountain ATV Park. We are keeping the 9 victims from Georgia and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” Jones wrote.

“As emergency responders have reported, multiple ambulances and 4 medic helicopters were called to the scene of this fatal incident. I personally heard how this incident overwhelmed our local emergency responders. These responders dealt with unfamiliar terrain, logistical confusion, and spotty communications coverage on a busy holiday weekend. They also had the tricky task of coordinating 4 helicopter landings. For all of these reasons, our first responders deserve our highest commendation…”

Jones continued, “I have long been concerned about unofficial reports from the park of rampant drinking and driving under the influence, virtually zero enforcement of the park’s own rules, and an inadequate emergency response plan in coordination with first responders. These are just a few of the reasons that I authored SB 234 to provide REASONABLE safeguards for Cherokee County ATV parks. Unlike almost every other business in Cherokee County, there are virtually no regulations at Indian Mountain ATV Park. As we saw this weekend, operating these machines can be dangerous and even deadly, and public safety is paramount.”

Indian Mountain’s operator previously criticized the proposal as government overreach.

In his statement, Jones said that instinct has now cost lives.

“Indian Mountain ATV Park has hidden behind cries of overregulation, seemingly as a way to avoid the accountability of any new safeguards– safeguards that were sorely needed on this Labor Day weekend. Similarly, the elected officials who blocked this legislation and those who continually shirk their responsibilities and turn a blind eye to safety issues surrounding the park have a lot to answer for.”

Jones, who has drawn multiple challengers in his 2026 re-election bid to the Alabama Senate, took heat from opponents, who said his response lacked the composure constituents should expect from their elected officials.

“In a time when empathy and unity are needed most, our state senator, Andrew Jones, chose to use the tragedy to attack the park, the community, and even his own colleagues,” Jesse Battles, also running for Alabama Senate District 10, said.

“His words lacked the kindness and understanding that grieving families and a shaken community deserve. This moment calls for compassion and support, not division and political games.”

Another 2026 challenger, Amy Dozier Minton, used the opportunity to thank first responders.

“On this Labor Day weekend I also want to give a special thank you to all of our first responders as they are called upon to leave their families in a time of need! There have been many tragic accidents this week from injuries in high school football games, multiple traffic fatalities, ATV accidents, boating accidents on our lake, and senseless violence in our schools and churches,” she wrote.

“These situations are very tragic and heartbreaking, but they also remind us of a hard truth: laws can never prevent tragedy.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.