LAKE WALES, FL — A 19-year-old Bartow man died following an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash early Sunday morning at the River Ranch Hunt Club near Lake Wales.
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at approximately 2:34 a.m. on May 31, 2026, to the River Ranch Hunt Club, located at 18550 County Road 630.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred several miles off the roadway, requiring members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Unit to transport first responders to the remote location.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been riding an ATV with a group of friends on off-road trails. When the group realized he was no longer with them, they retraced their route and found him pinned beneath the ATV.
Witnesses reported the victim was initially semi-conscious but later became unresponsive. CPR was performed at the scene; however, he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators believe the rider attempted a sharp turn when the ATV’s wheels dug into soft dirt, causing the vehicle to overturn.
The Sheriff’s Office said the victim was not wearing a helmet or any other protective safety equipment at the time of the crash. The investigation remains ongoing. Nothing further at this time.
