Leroi Moore of Dave Matthews Band Dies; ATV Safety to the Forefront

Leroi Moore, one of the original members of Dave Matthews Band, died this morning from injuries related to his June 30^th ATV accident. The injuries that Moore sustained resulted in his hospitalization and subsequent death. ATV safety is an issue near and dear to my family, after my sister fell from an ATV while in Aruba, cracking her chin open and ending up in the hospital herself. While fans of Leroi Moore and Dave Matthews Band mourn the musician's death this morning, the issue of ATV safety comes to the forefront.

The injuries that Leroi Moore suffered following his ATV accident were more severe than those my sister received. According to the Associated Press, his internal injuries required hospitalization and rehabilitation, and complications from these injuries ultimately caused his death, though the exact cause of death has not been released. Thankfully, my sister's injuries were superficial, but the accident has stayed with her and her fiancé to this day. Untrained ATV drivers, they realize the importance of ATV safety now, and encourage other all terrain vehicle users to familiarize themselves with guidelines as well.

According to the ATV Safety Institute, riders should wear protective gear, ride age appropriate vehicles, have supervision if they are underage, drive ATVs free of the influence of drugs and alcohol, and ride only on "designated trails and at safe speeds." This last guideline is the one that many drivers forget, and is the result of many injuries. This was the case for my sister, who inadvertently veered from the approved route, driving over a small cliff while driving an ATV in Aruba. Even if Leroi Moore was following ATV safety guidelines, the vehicles still pose a hazard and accidents can occur.