Alex Ellert

May 17, 2003 started out like any other typical Saturday morning, but, it ended like no other Saturday afternoon.

Alex had left to go camping and was to return on Sunday evening. At about 6:00 p.m. I got a phone call that would change my life forever. The "phone call" that every mother hopes she will never receive. The hysterical voice on the other end of the line told me that Alex had been killed from injuries he received while riding an adult size ATV. During the crash, the 500 pound machine landed on top of him, killing him in minutes. On that day, I died, too. Alex was 12 years old.

Alex had a beautiful, fun personality and an unforgettable smile. He enjoyed the outdoors, playing Little League Football and spending time with his two older brothers, Tyson and Travis. Alex was an honor student and dreamed of being an engineer someday.

All the experience or training in the world could not of saved him, when a 500 pound ATV lands, it is going to kill a child. Don't think that it could never happen to your child, because I am here to tell you that it can.

My words will never fully describe the depth of my pain that I feel everyday since the death of my precious son. A bad decision to let him ride was made and all the hopes and dreams for one young boy ended. Now I live with the "if onlys" and the "whys" and a heart that is forever broken.

Carol (Alex's mom)

VIEW MORE PHOTOS  |  BACK TO STORIES