Monroe, MO — May 17, 2025, A teenager was injured following a UTV accident that occurred at around 6:40 P.M. on Monroe Road.

An investigation is underway following a UTV accident that left one person injured during the evening hours of may 17th. According to official reports, a 15-year-old male was traveling in a Polaris Ranger UTV on Monroe Road in the eastbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and left the roadway resulting in the Polaris over correcting back on the road before it then overturned.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the teen had sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of the teen's injuries or what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, especially involving a young driver in a UTV, there’s often a rush to find a simple explanation. But from my experience, these kinds of incidents are rarely the result of just one factor. When a vehicle like a Polaris Ranger loses control, overcorrects, and overturns, it raises critical questions that need thoughtful, detailed answers—because that's the only way to truly understand what happened.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Rural roads like Monroe Road can present a lot of hidden hazards—loose gravel, uneven shoulders, or sharp curves that are easy to underestimate, especially in low light. Overcorrection usually signals a sudden maneuver, often triggered by something in the roadway or an unexpected drop-off. Was there an obstruction or a surface change that caused the initial loss of control? Was the UTV traveling too fast for the conditions, or did the road lack proper signage? A full investigation should include a close look at these factors to determine if the environment contributed to the crash just as much as the vehicle or the driver’s actions.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
UTVs, especially models like the Polaris Ranger, are built for utility and off-road performance—but they’re not immune to mechanical problems. Did a steering component fail, or did the brakes not respond as expected? What about the tires—were they in good condition and suited to the road surface? And given the tendency of UTVs to roll over due to their high center of gravity, it’s also worth examining whether any aftermarket modifications altered the vehicle’s handling. Without a detailed inspection, we can’t rule out the chance that a malfunction contributed to the loss of control or made the overcorrection more dangerous.

Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Some newer UTVs come equipped with onboard systems that can store valuable data about speed, throttle, and braking. If available, this kind of information can clarify what the vehicle was doing just before and during the crash. Did the teen attempt to slow down? Was the UTV being operated within its limits? Data like this can either confirm or challenge assumptions and offer a clearer picture of the moments leading up to the rollover. But like with all digital data, it needs to be retrieved quickly before it’s lost or overwritten.

Crashes like this often involve young drivers, unfamiliar terrain, and vehicles that behave differently from regular cars. That’s why it’s so important not to jump to conclusions. By asking the right questions and making sure every angle is explored, we can get a better understanding of what went wrong—and hopefully, prevent it from happening again.

Key Takeaways:

• Roadway conditions and visibility must be examined closely in UTV crashes, especially when overcorrection is involved.
• Mechanical inspections are critical to rule out steering, brake, or tire failures that could have contributed to the loss of control.
• If available, onboard data from the UTV should be collected quickly to capture speed, throttle, and braking activity before the crash.