Elizabeth Z. Neesley was ejected from the ATV upon impact with a metal post and died at the scene as a result from injuries sustained in the crash, Cobb County police reported. A male occupant, 52-year-old Randall P. Gianisiracusa of Austell, was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.
Investigators said the two were riding on a red ATV on the Silver Comet Trail just east of Floyd Road at around 12:39 a.m. Saturday, when the vehicle hit a metal post placed in the middle of the trail to prevent motor vehicle access.
After impact with the post, the ATV caught fire and burned, police said.
Investigators are uncertain who was operating the ATV at the time of the crash.
Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the incident and charges may be pending upon completion of the investigation, according to authorities.
According to the Cobb Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs Department’s webpage, the Floyd Road Trailhead, as well as other trailheads that contain parking and restrooms along the Silver Comet Trail, is open from dawn to dusk. It warns users to use the trail only during daylight hours and prohibits alcohol.
Cobb’s section of the Silver Comet Trail is 12.8-miles of multi-use paved trail that begins at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna and extends west through southern parts of the county, ending at the Georgia/Alabama state line. It was designed for walkers, joggers, hikers, bicyclists and rollerbladers, and is wheelchair accessible.
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The sad thing is this women leaves a 14 year old son with special needs that will now have to move out of town with his father