Man killed in ATV crash on Christmas

Brandon Joyner killed in ATV crash

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ A 20-year-old man was killed when his all-terrain vehicle collided with a SUV in Fort Lauderdale on Christmas Day.

"He was a very good boy, very mannerable. Words can not express how I feel right now. My heart is so broken, my heart is so broken," Janice Allen, Brandon Joyner's mother, told Local 10's Christina Vazquez. "There will never be no more Christmas for me. My child is gone, and there's nothing I could do."

The crash happened at the intersection of NW 5th Street and 8th Avenue about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Joyner was traveling southbound on 8th Avenue when he hit the SUV, said police. ATVs are not allowed on city streets.

Joyner was taken to Broward General Medical Center, where he died. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

"I didn't even get to see my brother today. It's just pain that is with me and my family right now," said Devonishe Christian, Joyner's sister. "He was only just 20 years old, a short life. He was very, very giving and caring."

Joyner's family planned on holding a candlelight vigil at the same intersection from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Ruthie Nicholson and her 7-year-old grandson saw the crash from their living room window. They said the impact sent Joyner into the air.

"He fell on his side," explained Nicholson, "and never moved. I mean never moved."

The scene brought her young grandson to tears. She scooped him up into her arms to comfort him while her thoughts were with the young man's family.

"I held him and told him we are going to pray that that young man be alright. I pray for them and hope God will work a miracle for them," said Nicholson.

Every year, 700 people are killed and 136,000 go to the emergency room because of ATV-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"Always wear a protective helmet. There is a tons of helmets on the market. Helmets, chest protectors, gloves, boots, the right riding gear," said Sam Nehme with Broward Motorsports.

Nehme stressed safe riding by staying off paved roads.

"A lot of people around town will go out into the woods, out west, a lot of great places to ride," added Nehme.

Charges are pending.