YET ANOTHER WISCONSIN TEEN IS KILLED IN ATV CRASH: Helmetless Eric O'Connor died after his ATV collided with a car driven by another teen in the town of Primrose, WI
A 17-year-old male teen from Verona who died after his ATV collided with a car Sunday morning was identified as Eric O'Connor by the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday. He was not wearing a helmet. Too sad, as it might have saved his life. Learn from this tragedy and live.
O'Connor died as a result of injuries sustained after the ATV he was operating crashed into a car in the town of Primrose around 11:30 a.m. The Dane County Sheriff's Office said the preliminary investigation indicates O'Connor was headed west on Highway A near O'Connor Road when he collided with a passing Honda Accord. He died on the scene.
The car's driver, a 17-year-old girl, and a passenger, a 17-year-old boy, both from Belleville, were not injured and are cooperating with the investigation, the Sheriff's Office said.
The Sheriff's Office said O'Connor was not wearing a helmet, and no preliminary evidence suggests drug or alcohol use of those involved in the collision.
The Medical Examiner's Office and Sheriff's Office continue to investigate the crash.
We all like to have fun, just like young Eric, but we also want to be healthy and alive. Safety is paramount when people operate machinery, equipment, etc. All kids need to be taught that at very early time. Otherwise the life will be snapped out of you, just like that. And then will be sorrow, plenty of sorrow for everyone involved.
Here are the Wisconsin laws regarding ATV operation:
Wisconsin
State Laws
- Children under 12 must wear a helmet at all times except if the ATV is operated for agricultural purposes or on family's land.
- Children between age 12 and 18 must wear a helmet, unless hunting or fishing, operating for agricultural purposes, or on their family's land.
- All ATVs are required to be registered. There are two types of registration: (1) public land use, which is renewed every two years or (2) private land use, which lasts for the lifetime of the vehicle.
- No one under 12 may operate an ATV unless operating on their family's land, operating for agricultural purposes and under direct supervision of a person over age 18, or unless operating a 4-wheel ATV of 90cc or less on a designated ATV trail and accompanied by a parent.
- No one under 12 may operate an ATV on a roadway.
- Children at least age 12 and born on or after January 1, 1988, must have taken a safety training course, unless operating on family's land.
- ATV use on roads is prohibited, except for agricultural purposes or to cross these roads.
- ATVs shall not be operated during hours of darkness without a lighted taillight and headlight.
These Wisconsin ATV laws are ridiculously unsafe. All riders must wear helmets at all times. And they dare having exceptions on wearing helmets for agricultural purposes? Give me a break Wisconsin, otherwise more kids will break their heads.
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TOWN OF PRIMROSE, Wis. - A 17-year-old boy is dead after his ATV collided with a car outside Verona Sunday afternoon, according to Dane County deputies.
Officials said Eric O'Connor was riding his ATV along County Road A in the town of Primrose when it collided with a vehicle going in the same direction. O'Connor was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two 17-year-olds riding in the car were uninjured and cooperated with investigators. Deputies say there is no evidence of alcohol or drug use by anyone involved in the crash. O'Connor was not wearing a helmet.
The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said O'Connor died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said all lanes of traffic were blocked on state Highway 92 at County Road A for over two hours after the incident happened.
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Here is his obituary:
Eric James O’Connor, 17, passed away on July 16th as a result of an ATV/car accident.
He was born in Madison, WI on June 25, 2000. Eric loved growing up on the O’Connor Family Farm in the Town of Primrose. He was a student at Belleville High School where he played football, basketball, and track & field. He was also very active in FFA, 4-H, and high school choir. He was fun loving and could put a smile on everyone’s face, always the life of the party. He also loved to be in the outdoors hunting, fishing and kayaking the river with friends. He loved to cook for all of his friends, especially the wild game they would hunt.
Eric is survived by his parents, Steve and Sherry (Johnson) O’Connor, sister, Kristin and brother, Tony (Town of Primrose/Belleville). Grandparents, Frank and Lucille O’Connor (Belleville) and Ken and Judy (Johnson) Burton, Monticello. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Donald Johnson and a brother William George O’Connor in infancy.
His family would like everyone to remember him by his contagious smile, vibrant personality, and sense of humor.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 338 S. Harrison St., Belleville, WI with the Rev. Michael Moon officiating with burial in the Exeter Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belleville.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund is being established in honor of Eric at Union Bank and Trust in Belleville.
“Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Everyday” Well not every day, as thousands of days left unused by the premature death of this young man. How in the world allow ATV ridding on the roads in Wisconsin? They need to change their laws, otherwise teens will get killed and mothers will continue to shed tears.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com