Layne Michael Smith Obituary, Lake Wales, FL ATV Accident Death – 19-year-old killed in ATV Accident During the Early Morning Hours

The Bartow community is grieving the tragic loss of 19-year-old Layne Michael Smith, who died in an ATV accident during the early morning hours of May 31, 2026, near Lake Wales, Florida.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched around 2:34 a.m. to the River Ranch Hunt Club on County Road 630 after receiving reports of an ATV crash. Because the incident occurred in a remote area several miles from the roadway, members of the Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Unit assisted by transporting emergency personnel to the location.

Investigators determined that Smith had been riding an ATV with a group of friends on off-road trails when he became separated from them. When his friends realized he was missing, they retraced their path and eventually found him trapped beneath an overturned ATV.

Witnesses told authorities that Smith was still semi-conscious when he was discovered but later lost consciousness. Emergency responders and those at the scene attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, but he ultimately died from his injuries.

Preliminary findings suggest the ATV overturned after its wheels became caught in soft dirt while Smith was making a sharp turn. Investigators also reported that he was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time of the crash.

The sudden death of the young man has left family, friends, and the community devastated. At just 19 years old, Smith had much of his life ahead of him, and those who knew him are remembering the friendships, experiences, and memories he shared with others.

As loved ones cope with this tragic loss, they continue to honor his memory and the impact he had on those around him. Layne Michael Smith will be remembered with love and affection by all who knew him, and his memory will remain in the hearts of family and friends for years to come.