Logan’s Story
by Kristen Almer
On May 24, 2013, my 11-year-old nephew, Logan Almer, was fatally injured on an adult-sized ATV in the State of Wisconsin.
The unfathomable terror and grief which ravaged our family as a direct result of Logan’s sudden gruesome death shattered the illusion that we had adequately prepared for the dangers which existed in our midst. To be sure, Logan’s parents were always mindful of their child’s safety and made sound decisions, guiding and admonishing him for any unsafe behaviors throughout his life. All of us who treasure Logan did the same.
Little did we realize that we were all in constant proximity to one of the most dangerous products for children in the US. It was an ATV, and it was purchased for utilitarian purposes, used by Logan’s father to do the heavy lifting, move firewood, plow snow, or aid in travel during outdoor recreational activities like bird hunting and ice fishing.
It only took a couple of wrong moves on a single day to usher in the worst horror of our lives.
That day, May 24th, was Friday of Memorial weekend, the last full school day before Logan’s summer vacation kicked in. Researchers also know it to be the second deadliest day of the year for ATV-related accidents (my entire family was oblivious to this fact, me included).
Earlier that day, Logan’s father parked the ATV in the driveway as he intended to teach his older son Hunter some basics about ATVs, when he returned from work. In the meantime, Hunter was to complete his online safety certification. Hunter was working through that certification process when Logan stepped outside.
It was a beautiful spring day. Dad was at work, 4 miles away, due to be home in 2 hours. Mom had gone for a short half-mile walk from the house. Logan and his brother were at home under the supervision of a 16-year-old family friend. No reason at all to worry. The house was always immaculate, everything was in its place, and the boys’ patterns were relatively predictable. They had excellent parents and were immensely loved and well provided for— and apart from the usual brotherhood rivalry, they did little to upset the routine of their happy rural lifestyle. Some would see it as idyllic, as they were active outdoors and encouraged to play and explore.
But this day was different—and while we do not know all the details, it is evident that Logan had wandered outside and decided to get on that ATV sitting in the driveway.
The key was in the ignition. That one oversight is a vomit-inducing thought to this day, ravaging his parents’ minds. “If I had only grabbed the key!”
What a grotesque price to pay for making such a simple mistake.
The truth is, it is not that simple.
Amid the tragedy and grief, we could not comprehend that the accident was hardly a single oversight. The key in the ignition was one link in a chain of multiple errors brought about by a lack of knowledge about the real risks associated with ATVs.
These risks are well established and known by researchers, industry professionals, emergency service providers, law enforcement agencies, and many enthusiasts who regularly engage in the powersport lifestyle. It was not simply the key; it was also the fact that the machine was adult-sized, Logan had NO experience—and he never gave a helmet a thought. These, among several other factors, contributed to the loss of Logan’s life and the lasting permanent grief of his family and friends.
Common Sense is not so common.
It seems almost ironic to say, “If we had only known.” I am Logan’s Auntie— and I had been a sponsorship consultant operating in the Powersports and Motorsports industries for nearly 25 years at the time of Logan’s accident. I have been in the thick of racing —from grassroots to world-class— all those years.
I had seen my share of athlete accidents and injuries, and you would think I would have known the risks better than most. I did not. I had no particular reason for listening to an ATV safety message; I did not ride.
I only began to realize the full scope of my own ignorance in January of 2018— four and a half years after Logan’s fatal accident. While doing research for a client, I happened across a press release written by ROHVA, the nation’s leading authority on off-highway vehicle safety. The article outlined “eight common sense guidelines” for ATVs and UTVs. As I read these, I quickly realized that Logan had gotten 6 of the 8 of these wrong! It was stunning.
- Always wear a helmet and other protective gear
- Avoid paved surfaces.
- Drive at a safe speed, and use care when turning
- Never drive an ATV unless you’re 16 or older and have a valid driver’s license. ● No child should drive an adult-sized ATV
- Take the online safety certification course
Reading these clear and obvious directions overwhelmed me and I had now forgotten what led me to the website in the first place. “Who wrote this!” I wondered aloud. Quickly, I went to the top of the article to find out. At the top was the date… May 23, 2013. What a shock!
This very press release had been written and released by ROHVA less than 24 hours before Logan’s fatal accident four and a half years earlier. I was only now reading it for the first time.
Logan never received the message. Right then and there, I vowed to do something.
