A split-second tragedy: The heartbreaking lesson on UTV safety

Story by Amanda Bush, communications specialist with Ohio Farm Bureau.

On June 30, 2014, my brother Darren and I drove past our grandparents' house—Kenny and Liz Bush—as they prepared for their usual crop-checking cruise in their utility task vehicle (UTV). We didn’t have time to stop and visit, so we decided to call and let them know we’d come by the next day. What we didn’t realize was that the chance to see them again would never come.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, my grandpa lost much of his ability to drive or operate farm equipment. So riding the UTV each evening to check on the crops became his way of staying connected to the farm.

That evening, my grandma was driving the UTV with Grandpa seated beside her as passenger. As they were crossing a highway, something they had done safely countless times, their UTV veered into the path of an oncoming vehicle and was struck. Tragically, neither of them was wearing a helmet or seatbelt, and both lost their lives.

We may never know whether she was waiting for Grandpa to signal that it was safe to cross the highway, if the glowing sunset impaired their visibility or if it was a tragic combination of both. What we do know is that this single, heartbreaking moment—this split-second decision—altered the future of our sixth-generation family farm forever. And it’s a reminder that UTVs require heightened situational awareness far beyond that of ordinary vehicles.

ATVs and UTVs are useful tools with hidden risks

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and UTVs have become a staple piece of equipment for many farmers and ranchers. They serve unique purposes on and off the farm and are oftentimes more cost-effective than larger trucks.

While they have proven to be functional farm vehicles, it is important to understand the safety risks and concerns associated with operating them. According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, ATVs and UTVs cause more than 700 deaths each year.

In 2024, nearly a decade after my grandparents' accident, Ohio Farm Bureau Heritage Partner, Nationwide, teamed up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to launch the Let's Champion Rider Safety® campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about ATV and UTV safety, addressing the growing number of fatalities linked to these vehicles.

“Our collective goal is simple. It’s to make sure every operator knows what it takes to ride safely in the right places so we don’t have to read another headline about a lost life or serious injury from an ATV or UTV,” said Dirk Pollitt, Senior Vice President, Nationwide Agribusiness Distribution & Underwriting.

The campaign is focused on three main pillars:

• Legal does not mean safe: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
• Common sense: traveling a safe, smart speed
• Proper driver/rider training for farm employees and family members

Speaking of pillars, my grandparents were respected pillars of our community. They are not bad people because this accident happened, but this is a great example of how actions have consequences.

Positive outcomes from that horrific day

While our family has done our fair share of grieving over the last 11 years, there have been some positive outcomes from that horrific day. My dad, Anthony, quickly began implementing farm safety procedures, which are now instilled in my brother, who was 15 at the time of the accident, and is now full-time on the farm.

“The loss of my grandparents changed the way I see every piece of equipment, every field, every driveway I turn out of when operating equipment,” Darren said. “If you farm, you know how quickly things can change. Don’t let comfort turn into complacency. A safe farm is a lasting farm."

Farm safety is a popular topic but the true importance of it usually does not resonate until you are mourning a loved one, or in our case, two loved ones.

“Take the time to check the blind spots, don’t cut corners and set the safety standard for your operation,” Darren said. “Our families and future generations deserve that from us.”

If you take anything away from this story, I hope it is this: Don’t ever think it can't happen to you. Most of the time, safety is in the hands of the operator. Whether you are a beginner rider or seasoned rider like my grandparents, utilize the resources available to you at nationwide.com/ATVsafety and let’s champion rider safety together so no other family has to learn this lesson the hard way.