St. James, MO (July 13, 2025) — An 18-year-old man was seriously injured Saturday night after an ATV crash north of St. James in Phelps County. The incident took place around 8:25 p.m. on County Road 1300, approximately seven miles north of St. James, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to reports, the crash happened when the 18-year-old driver from Copperas Cove, Texas, was attempting to turn a 2006 Honda Recon ATV around in a driveway. During the maneuver, he was ejected from the ATV and sustained serious injuries. Authorities confirmed the young man was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

Emergency responders from the St. James Fire Department and St. James Ambulance quickly arrived at the scene. The victim was transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla for urgent medical treatment. The ATV sustained moderate damage and was removed by Spurgeon’s Towing.

Local authorities remind riders about the critical importance of using proper safety gear when operating off-road vehicles. The crash remains under investigation.

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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

The information in this article is based on initial reports from local authorities and may be subject to updates as investigations continue.

• The identities of those involved in the incident have not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
• Further details about the accident, including toxicology results and potential charges, will be shared as they become available.
• Road closures and traffic updates related to the accident scene can be found by checking with local authorities or traffic monitoring services.

The content of this news story is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. All information is based on public reports at the time of publication, and details may change as investigations progress. Readers are encouraged to seek legal counsel if they or someone they know have been involved in a similar incident. The publisher assumes no liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this article. Learn more with our disclaimer.