UPDATED: Name Released In Fatal 4-Wheeler Accident

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Man dies in 4-wheeler accident
Posted: 7:39 PM Mar 8, 2009
Last Updated: 11:07 AM Mar 9, 2009

25 comments

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A man riding a 4-wheeler off road vehicle died Sunday after hitting a section of a fence in Onslow County.

Killed was Kyle Shea of Hubert.

Lawmen say the accident happened off of William Gurganis Road. An autopsy on the 20-year-old man is expected to happen sometime this week.

Sheriff's Office News Release

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a death that occurred this afternoon off of William Gurganis Road in Onslow County. Several individuals were riding 4-wheelers off road. One of the riders ran into a section of fencing/gate and sustained injuries that took his life.

The death appears to be accidental at this time. An autopsy will be performed at the beginning of the week. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time while investigators notify the next of kin and continue their investigation.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Onslow County on Mar 11, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I cannot believe the lack of couth some people have towards other peoples tragedies. Show some respect since you are ignorant to the situation at hand. My prayers are with Kyle's family and friends.

Posted by: ryan Location: kenly on Mar 11, 2009 at 09:54 AM
i will miss my cousin

Posted by: Carmin Location: Jacksonville on Mar 11, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Kyle was a wonderful person and friend. It is a terrible loss that he is gone. I know he went while having a good time, Kyle always knew how to have a good time. Kyle will be missed by many.

Posted by: very close friend Location: hubert on Mar 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Kyle shea was one the the closest friends i ever had. I've read every comment left and it breaks my heart. kyle was not a bad kid. he never did anything wrong. he was out having fun and the unfortunate happened. he went through a dust cloud not knowing was was on the other side and did not have time to react or stop. i will always love him and i know he will always be with me. accidents happen, it just doesn't hit any body until it's your very close friend or family that is taken away in the click of a finger. i will love you forever Kyle and never forget the endless fun times we had. love you buddy

Posted by: jc Location: swansboro on Mar 10, 2009 at 10:59 AM
is there going to be a funeral service? my husband and him were pretty good friends. we would like to go and give our respects. the family is in my prayers...i'm truly sorry for your loss. God bless.

Posted by: kate Location: hubert on Mar 10, 2009 at 09:37 AM
i heard about this over the weekend, and its really sad to imagine someone you knew dead. Kyle was a really sweet guy, and im sorry he went away so soon. RIP Kyle Shea. you'll be missed.

Posted by: Sam Location: Williamston on Mar 10, 2009 at 09:21 AM
It is bad to know that sometimes when you're just out there having fun, that things like that happen. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 at 11:02 PM
this is pretty sad... i known him for a while now... he was a great person...

Posted by: Toallatvers Location: Eastern NC on Mar 9, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Major heart felt grief for the family and friends of this young man. It is truly a tragedy to lose someone so young. Without all the facts it would be impossible to have an opinion about how responsible this young person was as an atv rider, so I won't. The problem is that there are those that tarnish the image of all atv riders. Be it trespassing on private lands or kids making a nuisance of themselves in residential neighborhoods. It gives nonriders the wrong impression.Help us change that.Respect of all property owners and compliance to Session Law - 2005-282 Senate Bill 189 is a place to start.Parents ride with your child,an atv is not a motorized nanny. Try asking the property owners before you ride. We ask, we obey the rules, we have fun. Try it sometimes. There is a major difference between rights and privileges. Privileges can be revoked and this is one that it surely would be shame to lose.

Posted by: Reader Location: wash. on Mar 9, 2009 at 09:52 PM
To DK, The first news release states (in the last sentence, first paragraph) "fencing/gate"...sounds like 'farmer' did read the article. Did you?

Posted by: katie on Mar 9, 2009 at 09:47 PM
i went out with him in high school. this is so sad :-(

Posted by: careful caretaker Location: Eastern NC on Mar 9, 2009 at 09:47 PM
I work in a hospital and have seen the real-life dangers of ATV's first hand. I pray for the family and their loss.

Posted by: jimmy Location: little on Mar 9, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Kyle shea was one of my best friends and he I just found out a few minutes ago about what happened. Kyle was not doing anything he was not supposed to be doing. I've went out riding 4-wheelers before with him and it was always somewere where we were allowed to ride. Kyle did not deserve to go this soon.

Posted by: WorriedMother Location: 9mile on Mar 9, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Consider his parents. I never allowed my sons to have ATVs because the risk of injury or death was too great. Then they grow up and get them. Sad thing is you never stop worrying about them. May God give his parents the peace that passes all understanding. This story rips at my own heart since my own son grew up and purchased an ATV. This young man was riding with a lot of other people. They saw it. It is not worth it parents and young people. Your life is too valuable and can be taken in the wink of an eye, one small mistake....

Posted by: me Location: here on Mar 9, 2009 at 06:52 PM
Wel I'm sitting here looking out my window on Hodges road in Chocowinity, and 2 boys are riding on the highway wih no helmets or anything on there head. They do this everyday after school. If someone acidently hit them there parents would want to take everything you own, because you hit there poor innocent child!!!!! THIS IS ILLEGAL, KEEP THEM OFF THE ROAD PARENTS!!!!!

Posted by: kris Location: greenville on Mar 9, 2009 at 06:15 PM
i think its completely rediculous some of you have to voice all these rude comments and assumptions about what happened. kyles family lost a loved one, his friends lost him. and im sure some found out by reading this artical. my prayers go out to all of you

Posted by: Joe Location: Hay Field on Mar 9, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Farmer, it's WHICH not WITCH

Posted by: DK Location: Greenville on Mar 9, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Farmer: The guy hit a fence, not a gate. Did you read the story? How do you know they were riding on land that they werent supposed to be on. Why do people always make assumptions on stories like this?

Posted by: charlie Location: greenville on Mar 9, 2009 at 02:54 PM
i agree with bud. as far as that goes lets ban cars. my thoughts and prayers go to the family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 at 02:53 PM
from thr farmer in hyde i know what you mean by people not respecting land owners property in sq all you have to do is sit back and watch the kids they are in everyones yards and fields and show no respect

Posted by: ATV Rider Location: Jacksonville on Mar 9, 2009 at 02:23 PM
This concerns the post made by the Farmer: Your blog means nothing on what happened. You do NOT need to criticiz someone or a group of individuals in a case like this, especially if you don't know the facts!! A lot of readers would probably take the article as the rider losing control, then hitting something. But, just like me i don't know the facts. Just to let you know there are several places to legally ride, so you don't have to worry about me trespassing on your land or noone else's for that matter to ride! I just want the family to know that I am sorry for thier loss.

Posted by: Momof3 Location: Greenville on Mar 9, 2009 at 01:54 PM
My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Shea. As a follow ATVer I would like to tell "farmer" that there are irresponsible people that do all kinds of things, but not all people are disrespectful with regards to others property. It saddens me that some people have the ability to ruin something so enjoyable for so many others. Also, accidents CAN and DO happen. Again, my prayers go out to his family. It is always hard to lose someone you love.

Posted by: farmer Location: hyde on Mar 9, 2009 at 12:46 PM
well a gate means,"KEEP OUT"! i am sorry for the family loss, but as a land owner of several 100 acres, i know its hard to keep people from ridind on land in witch they have no right to be on. you should not own a atv if you need to trespass to ride it. i dont know the facts on this case, but most of the time it is....

Posted by: Bud Location: Washington on Mar 9, 2009 at 12:13 PM
A horrible tragedy...Now let's pay attention and see if anybody tries to get political and introduce legislation to restrict the use of ATVs somehow. After all, based on the premise that guns kill people and should be extremely restricted and monitored, we should expect some dense politician to concoct a resolution saying ATVs are dangerous killing machines that require a special drivers license and so on. I wouldn't be surprised. Unfortunately the sad reality is that these machines really are dangerous when operated at high speeds. I knew one guy who was nearly killed when he rode into a chain that cut his throat and vocal cords. At his speed he simply couldn't see the outstretched chain in time to stop. I think this is one of those circumstances where all one can do is have sympathy for the family and re-emphasize driver safety to the many ATV owners. Just dreadful...