From the Naples Daily News:

A 26-year-old Golden Gate Estates man was killed early Wednesday after being thrown from an ATV.

Chadrick Wilson was riding an ATV near his home at 345 14th Ave. N.E. at about 1:42 a.m. when he tried to jump the ATV over a canal at the end of the road, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Wilson traveled about 92 feet across the canal before striking an embankment, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

Wilson was thrown from the ATV and died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet or other protective equipment at the time of the crash, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

Some of Wilson’s friends who were at his house Wednesday afternoon said that Wilson never attempted to jump the canal. They said he simply crashed the ATV and was killed.

Submitted on 09/01/2006

Submitted by: Clyde
Reference: Naples (FL)Daily News 8/31/06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
A smidgen of new info. Apparently, the late Mr. Wilson's friends beg to differ as to whether or not he CHOSE to jump. He cleared 92 feet of canal; that's a pretty long distance for a crash, don't you think? IMO, he thought he could make it. Rivers, canals, &c tend to look a LOT less wide than they actually are! Thanks, Clyde!

Sheryl said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
This sounds a bit like an "after the act" cleanup by friends. Regardless of what he *told* friends, I suspect the lure of jumping the canal was too great. Thanks for the extra information, Clyde.

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I agree -- new information on a prospect should be passed along to Darwin. I also agree that this sounds more like the death was the feat of a would-be amateur daredevil than an ordinary accident.

Jorge said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat

Graham said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
92 feet is a long jump in any vehicle, let alone an ATV with the aerodynamics of a brick. No, I think this chap decided he could 'make the jump' and discovered that ATVs do not fly very well. As mentioned, this sounds like a cover-up by dedicated friends.

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