| An ATV accident killed an 11-year-old boy in Kanawha County Saturday. He has been identified as Terry Wayne Slater.
There have been other fatal accidents recently in McDowell, Marion, and Mercer Counties.
Charles "Chuck" Buford Slater, III, 38, of Kanawha County was driving the ATV, a 5-year-old girl was also a passenger.
The group was not wearing helmets, but family members told WSAZ-TV they don't believe that would have saved their little boy's life.
It's against the law for anyone under 18 to ride without a helmet.
WSAZ reported: "Whatever it was, God was ready for him. Chuck has had them up that hill millions of times," Robert Slater said. "He loved riding with Chuck and he died doing it. Many people can't say that."
"The parents don't believe any charges should be filed. They say their brother didn't do anything wrong. In fact, the child's father says he doesn't agree with West Virginia's helmet laws," reported the TV station.
West Virginia frequently leads the nation in ATV deaths and injuries, often linked to the state's liberal stance on hard-surfaced road riding laws, while manufacturers advise owners the vehicles are unstable on hard roads, and are manufactured for off-road travel.
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