What was meant to be a fun family outing over Labor Day weekend turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a Georgia family.
Marcus Ragland, 34, and Ashley Hawkins, 31, lost their lives in a devastating ATV crash, leaving behind 13 children.
The accident happened on Saturday at Indian Mountain ATV Park, near the Georgia–Alabama state line, when the family’s RZR utility vehicle collided with another, overturned, and slammed into a tree.
Ragland, who was behind the wheel, was ejected and died instantly. Hawkins was rushed to a nearby trauma center but later passed away from her injuries.
Children Left Injured and Grieving
Seven of their children, ranging from ages 1 to 12, were also inside the ATV when the crash occurred.
All of them sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
A close family friend shared how difficult it has been to comfort the children: “They keep asking for momma, and I don’t want to say because we haven’t told them about her yet.”
Remembering a Father Who Loved Adventure
Ragland’s mother, Felicia Towers, described her son as adventurous, someone who loved going to the ATV park every weekend.
“This time he wanted to take his children with him, you know, to share the fun,” she said tearfully.
“They were ready to go, so it just ended up being a tragedy. I just hate it.”
His sister, Lakeisha Floyd, remembered him as a man who embraced life fully.
“Life is for living—that’s what he always said. And that’s exactly how he lived,” she recalled.
A Mother Remembered for Her Kindness
Friends and family also spoke warmly about Ashley Hawkins, describing her as gentle and always smiling.
“She was a very sweet soul. I never saw her in a bad mood,” Floyd shared.
Hawkins, a mother of three, shared two of her children with Ragland.
Heartbreak From Those Left Behind
For those who shared children with Ragland, the pain has been especially sharp.
Audrey Dunn, who has two young boys with him and is currently pregnant, said her sons were injured in the crash.
“My 1-year-old is limping, his face scratched up, and my 5-year-old has a gash on his head,” she said.
But the emotional wounds run deeper.
Her oldest son, still too young to fully grasp death, told her: “Mom, my dad died, but it’s OK because he’ll be back to get me tomorrow.”
Dunn admitted that helping him understand that his father is gone forever has been one of the hardest things she’s ever faced.
Friends Promise to Keep Their Memory Alive
Close friend Maya Boyett said she will make sure the children always know how much their parents loved them.
“Your daddy was that dude,” she said.
“I’ll always speak his name, and I’ll do the same for Ashley’s kids, so they know they had a good mom.”
A Call for Support
Both families have launched fundraisers to support the many children left behind.
Hawkins’s relatives set up a fund for her three children, while a separate GoFundMe has been created for Ragland’s ten.
For Ragland’s older children, the grief has been overwhelming.
His daughter Makaylee said, “Ever since I found out, I’ve been really sad.”
His son Blayze added, “Now we don’t have no more time with him, so it don’t feel good.”
What Comes Next
The coming weeks will be filled with challenges for the children and extended families who must now navigate life without Marcus and Ashley.
Their loved ones are rallying together, not only to provide financial support but also to ensure their memories and love carry on through the children they left behind.