KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Two deaths related to ATVs and UTVs have occurred in our region this week.
Abel Sims, 12, of Cabell County, died Wednesday night. Levi Risner of Scioto County, Ohio, died Tuesday.
Riding off-road vehicles is a popular pastime in the Tri-State. Jack McNeely, director of the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, said knowing the difference between an ATV and a UTV is important.
“ATV is your typical four-wheeler. It’s basically an off-road vehicle that you straddle to drive,” McNeely said. “What we’re talking about today, more than likely, are side-by-sides, your UTVs.”
McNeely said UTVs are encaged, wider vehicles with seats and a steering wheel. He said many people use them on trails in West Virginia.
McNeely said a side-by-side must be street legal if driving anywhere other than the trails.
“So, to be able to legalize these side-by-sides, you have to go to a DMV, and they have to be registered as a special purpose vehicle with the DMV,” McNeely said. “So, that entails a lot of upgrades. It has to have appropriate lighting and signaling. It has to have headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, even a license plate light, just like a regular motor vehicle. It also has to have red rear reflectors.”
McNeely referenced the crash involving a side-by-side Wednesday night in Cabell County. He said he wants to remind everyone to drive sober.
“At the end of the day, whether it’s a side-by-side on our roadways or a motor vehicle on our roadways, you cannot get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle impaired,” McNeely said. “And that’s our message today to everyone, first and foremost.”
Anyone younger than 18 riding an ATV or UTV should always wear a helmet. Information on ATV and UTV safety courses is available through a local DMV.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.