Parents of R.I. ATV Crash Victim Urge Tougher Safety, Liability Laws

March 9, 2008

The parents of a Coventry, Rhode Island woman who died in an ATV crash are calling for tougher state laws governing the vehicles.

Ashley Phelps died in June when the all-terrain vehicle she was a passenger on struck some mailboxes and rolled over. The driver then allegedly drove away, leaving the 21-year-old woman behind. She died nine days later of head injures.

The driver, 23-year-old Gregory Hebert, pleaded not guilty to various charges including leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting. He was released on $20,000 bail.

Now Ashley's parents, Thomas and Kimberly Phelps, says ATV drivers should be required to take safety courses and to have liability insurance.

They have also filed a wrongful death suit against Hebert.