A tragic accident involving two sisters in Arizona has resulted in the death of a 13-year-old girl, nearly two weeks after a catastrophic ATV rollover incident. Myah Dennis, who was riding on an all-terrain vehicle driven by her 16-year-old sister Kaitlyn, was severely injured in the accident that took place on June 21, just days before Father’s Day. Despite efforts to save her, Myah succumbed to her injuries on July 3.
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Myah and Kaitlyn were riding together when the ATV struck a large rut, causing it to flip over. The vehicle pinned Myah beneath it, with reports indicating that the crash left her unable to breathe, ultimately depriving her brain of oxygen for an extended period. Both sisters were wearing helmets at the time of the accident, but this did not prevent the tragic outcome.
Following the crash, Kaitlyn attempted to contact emergency services for assistance. “My phone wasn’t working. It was really hot and overheating,” she explained in an interview. Eventually, Myah’s phone was able to connect, but communication with dispatchers proved challenging as they struggled to locate the site of the accident. Meanwhile, their stepfather, James McClure, was alerted about the incident through the Life360 app, prompting him and the girls’ mother, Nicole, to rush to the scene.
Upon arrival, Kaitlyn’s boyfriend, James, was the first to reach the girls. He quickly lifted the ATV off them. James recalled, “I saw Myah. She already turned blue in the face. I checked for her heart rate and breathing – she had none. I started CPR.” Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly thereafter, and Myah was airlifted to a local hospital before being transferred to a specialised facility in Las Vegas for further treatment.
Although Kaitlyn was treated for her injuries and released from the hospital, Myah’s condition worsened, and the family ultimately made the heartbreaking decision to take her off life support on July 3. The hospital staff, along with family and friends, participated in a poignant “Honor Walk” to pay tribute to her as she was transported through the hospital one last time.
Nichole expressed that it was important for them to honour Myah’s memory, stating, “Everybody showed up. She was hopefully in spirit there and shown how loved she actually was.” Myah’s family has described her as “a beautiful soul who loved deeply and brought joy to everyone around her.” They characterised her as strong, determined, shy and possessing the extraordinary ability to make those around her smile effortlessly.
In the wake of this tragedy, Nicole McClure has shared her concerns regarding the safety of ATV riding. She highlighted the importance of awareness among parents about the potential dangers associated with such vehicles. Nicole also pointed out that there is a paid feature available on the Life360 app which can alert emergency services automatically in the event of a crash, a capability they wish they had been able to utilise.
“Myah’s story serves as a warning to other families about the hazards of ATVs. If I would’ve been out there with my daughter, I wouldn’t have been able to pick up that quad at all. It’s so heavy,” she commented.
The family has launched a GoFundMe page to assist with the unexpected medical expenses and to support raising awareness of ATV safety. As they navigate this painful time, they hope that by sharing their story, they can help prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
The incident has sparked discussions regarding ATV safety, and the family’s plea serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safety measures, supervision, and awareness when it comes to off-road vehicle use. Myah Dennis’s legacy will live on as those who knew her work to honour her memory and advocate for safer practices.