Braylyn Knowles Killed in Grand Bay ATV Crash
The off-road vehicle struck an embankment and a light pole before rolling over
Braylyn Knowles, 16, was killed in an ATV crash over the weekend during a block party and horse show in Grand Bay, according to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
The off-road vehicle, which was carrying multiple juveniles, struck an embankment before the driver attempted to overcorrect. A tire then hit a light pole, causing the machine to flip and roll over.
Knowles was caught underneath the vehicle and died from his injuries. The Pascagoula School District confirmed he was a student and baseball player at Pascagoula High School, and community members have organized fundraisers to support his grieving family.
Investigators stated there is no indication that racing played a role in the collision.
The crash remains under investigation.
The loss of a teenager in a recreational vehicle crash leaves families searching for answers about how a weekend gathering turned tragic. While the Mobile County Sheriff's Office examines the driver's actions, investigators will also look at the property owners and event organizers who hosted the block party.
Why did the ATV flip in Grand Bay?
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "The death of a child on an ATV is a tragedy that's often tied to the machine's design. When you put a child on an adult-sized vehicle, it changes the center of gravity and makes it flip much easier."
The crash adds to a rising toll across the country. According to the Consumer Federation of America, there were 632 off-highway vehicle deaths nationwide in 2024, representing a sharp increase from previous years. That data includes 119 children aged 16 and under who were killed in off-road incidents.
What liability exists for off-road vehicle owners?
As authorities reconstruct the sequence of events that led the ATV to strike the embankment and light pole, the lack of structural protection on many off-road vehicles becomes a focal point.
"I've seen families blindsided by how different a side-by-side is from a traditional ATV," observed National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal"Traditional models don't have roll cages or seatbelts, which means there's zero protection if the machine flips on its side."
Alabama wrongful death statute
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Alabama. The state applies contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Alabama's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Alabama law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.