Child, 5, Killed in ATV Crash

LAKELAND, FL — A 5-year-old Lakeland boy is dead following a Saturday afternoon ATV crash in the Kathleen area.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Joshua Heard, 32, and his son, Eli, 5, were on a blue Polaris ATV around 12:10 p.m. The two were riding in an area near the 3000 block of West Socrum Loop Road.

“Elis was sitting in front of this father on the ATV, wearing a soft helmet (not DOT-rated or designed for use with motorized vehicles),” an email from the sheriff’s office said. “Joshua was not wearing a helmet.”

Deputies say Joshua Heard drove the ATV south on a dirt road, made a U-turn, accelerated and went north over a grassy mound. “After which, the passenger side front tire support arm broke, causing the ATV to roll several times, ejecting both occupants.”

The sheriff’s office says both Eli and Joshua were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center after the crash. Eli was later pronounced dead. Joshua suffered possible broken ribs.

No further information is available at this time.

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