BREAKING NEWS: ATV fatality in Laurel Hill (UPDATED)

LAUREL HILL — A Mississippi teenager was killed Saturday after his all-terrain vehicle landed on his head at the West Florida Motocross Park in Walton County.

Christian Pierce, 14, of Sauceier, Miss., was practicing for a Sunday race when the crash occurred, according to a Walton County Sheriff’s report.

Pierce had just mounted the first hill in the course when the ATV went airborne. As he flew over the second hill, Pierce went over the handlebars and hit the ground. The ATV then landed on Pierce’s head and split his helmet in half.

He was airlifted to the North Okaloosa Medical Center where he died at 1:34 p.m.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash, but no charges are expected.

“It was just a tragedy,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Mike Gurspan.

According to the Park’s co-owner, Krystal King, people who ride on the track are all required to wear helmets, boots, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. She said Pierce was following those rules when he crashed.

Many people also choose to wear chest protectors, and knee and neck braces when they race, she said.

“Even with the gear it can be very dangerous,” King said.

Saturday was the first fatal crash on the track since King and her husband bought it a little over a year ago, she said.

Pierce was practicing for one of several series of races scheduled for Sunday at the Park. The races are held four to six times a year and generally draw people from across the south, King said.

People who ride ATVs both at parks and on their own property should always keep safety in mind, she said.

“Wear a helmet and boots, and don’t be silly,” King said.

In 2006, the most recent data available, 750 ATV-related deaths were reported and about 146,600 people were treated for ATV-related injuries, according to statistics from ATVsafety.gov.

To prevent injuries people should get formal training on how to handle the vehicle properly; always wear protective gear; not put a passenger on the ATV; stay off of paved roads; and not drive one under the influence.

For more information on ATV safety visit http://www.atvsafety.gov/.