Teen driver crashes into Kiddie Carnival

Published 7:30 am Sunday, July 8, 2018

A ride at the Athens Lions Kiddie Carnival was destroyed when a 17-year-old motorist hit it after losing control of his vehicle during a rain storm at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson.

Johnson said the teen told police was distracted while attempting to put on his glasses and swerved to miss an oncoming car, hitting the fence on the south east side of the carnival. After knocking over the fence, the teen hit a utility pole and collided with one of the rides before hitting a second fence on the far side of the ride.

Keith Barksdale, president of the Athens Lions Club, said the 50-year-old rocket ride was bent beyond repair and would need to be replaced.

Despite the incident, which also knocked out their electricity for several hours, the carnival opened at its regular time Thursday and will continue to be open normal hours throughout the rest of the season.

Barksdale, who remembers attending the Kiddie Carnival as a child, said they are now down two rides, as the carnival’s Scrambler broke down last year. Plans to replace the Scrambler are already in the works, and insurance should cover the cost of replacing the rocket ride.

“We still have eight functioning rides and will keep going like we always have,” Barksdale said. “This park means too much to this community to do anything but.”

Johnson said the teen who crashed into the carnival sustained some injuries and was taken by ambulance to Athens-Limestone Hospital. No charges were filed against the driver, who lives in Athens.

The utility pole was cut off at the base and will also have to be replaced according to Barksdale.

The Kiddie Carnival is open 6:30–9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through August 4. Tickets are 50 cents per ride, and concessions are available.