Teen remains critical as legislators mull ATV bill
By Jill Coley , Glenn Smith
A Summerville teen injured in an all-terrain vehicle crash remained hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday as state lawmakers continued to mull new safety restrictions on ATV use.
Kayla Beczynski, 15, was injured Saturday when she and a neighbor were thrown from an ATV that crashed in a wooded area near the Sawmill Branch Trail north of Luden Drive. Beczynski was a passenger on the ATV.
Witnesses told police the ATV appeared to be going too fast for conditions when it left the trail and flipped into the air.
The driver, 32-year-old Katrina Elsworth, told police she took two prescription medications prior to the ride. She said she had taken Adarol, a stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Diazepam, a sedative used as anti-anxiety medicine, authorities said.
Beczynski's mother, Carrie Rhymer, told police she didn't know her daughter was riding the ATV with Elsworth.
Summerville police Capt. Jon Rogers said only that the crash remained under investigation. No charges have been filed.
The wreck occurred as state legislators are considering a bill that would set restrictions on ATV use. The measure is dubbed "Chandler's law," after a 16-year-old boy who was killed in an ATV accident in May 2003. Some 44 states across the nation have ATV safety laws.
The bill would bar children younger than 6 from driving an ATV and limit the engine power for drivers between 6 and 16 years old. The measure would require youths 15 and under to wear safety glasses and helmets while driving or riding on an ATV. Operators 15 and younger also would have to complete a safety course.
The proposal also would bar anyone from operating an ATV in a reckless manner or under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances.
Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier.
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Comments
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
I feel bad for this girl, but having another law on the books would not have prevented this. She was not driving and the manufacturer already has warnings all over these things stating that they are not to be used to carry passengers. All "Chandlers Law" will do is give government a vested interest in something that they do not have the resources to enforce. Hopes and prayers go out to this little girl and her family.
May 19, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leapfrog (anonymous) says...
AmericanZero, her neighbor took her without her mother's permission. Do you have children? If so do you ALWAYS know where they are. At 15, many girls are babysitting other people's children. Are you to never leave your kids ever? Do you go to the bathroom with them? Do you sleep in the bed with them? Wait, if you're asleep, then how do you know what your child is doing? Kayla is a wonderful child who is fighting for her life. Please keep your negative comments to yourself.
May 19, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kancer (anonymous) says...
She said she had taken Adarol, a stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Diazepam, a sedative used as anti-anxiety medicine, authorities said.
*************************************
Medication is spelled Adderall. where does P&C find these writers? This is a good example of all the pill poppers that infest the Chas area
May 19, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leapfrog (anonymous) says...
No one ever said Kayla was perfect. The problem lies with the adult who took a child withouth her parent's permission. An adult who had a pill cocktail:
"The driver, 32-year-old Katrina Elsworth, told police she took two prescription medications prior to the ride. She said she had taken Adarol, a stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Diazepam, a sedative used as anti-anxiety medicine, authorities said."
May 19, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
AmericanZero.. My guess is that you have children that are too young to independently be away from you at this point. I have a 17 year old daughter that goes to school, works, plays sports, and has a close circle of friends. It is absolutley IMPOSSIBLE that I would know where she is every moment of the day. So, 1.)she's on her way home from school and decides to 2.)stop by one of her friends house, then they decide 3.)to go to the mall, then 4.)leave the mall - are you kidding?? I'm supposed to get 4 phone calls for this. Unrealistic on any level.
You have to do the best you can at home as they are growing up to educate them on making the right decisions when they begin to gain independence and aren't under your wing 24/7.
Hopefully, you'll realize this one day before you have children that can't wait to turn 18 so they can get the heck away from you. Good luck with knowing where they are all of the time, you may have to quit your job, enroll in school with them, go to work with them, go to ball practice with them, go to the birthday parties they are invited to..
See my point?? Good luck with everything, from the sound of your post - you're going to need it.
May 19, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leapfrog (anonymous) says...
Amen SCGirl0901.
As was said before in the previous story's can we please get back to Kayla. This young lady is in for the fight of her life. She has many miles to go and with her WONDERFUL mother, I know in my heart that she will pull through. She is such a spunky little thing. Right now she is in MUSC fighting for every minute. I ask everyone to please keep her in their thoughts and prayers. I also ask all of the parents to hug their kids and hold on to that feeling because her mother may never again know the feeling of her daughter's arms around her.
May 19, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kittycatastrophe (anonymous) says...
AmericanZero, are you kidding me? Awesome. This was simply the most asinine soapbox speech I have heard thus far. Your ignorance is actually quite humorous. I guess your 'upbringing' didn't teach you humility and compassion or shut your mouth when you don't know what you are talking about.
I have had it with the lack of focus on the real issue here. A 15 year old CHILD is fighting for her life and needs prayers, support, and love. Who gives a crap who or what the blame is right now! Will placing responsibility really help heal Kayla's body?
I know better than to respond to ignorance but Americanzero reminded me to thank my parents for everything they taught me including not to judge others. I don't judge you Americanzero, I feel sorry for you because you weren't raised to know better.
I will not waste another moment on this nonsense.
Kayla, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep fighting beautiful girl!
"Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be. But, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean." - Robert Nesta Marley
May 19, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
What a bunch of asses! A parent answers a question, and is accused of all manner of miscreant behavior for answering.
Accusations that can't be proven are simple slander.
May 19, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Here_for_Kayla (anonymous) says...
American Zero, here's a big "0" for you. You have failed to respond with:
1. verified information
2. consideration
3. Intelligence
4. grace
5. dignity
Your comments are disgusting and hurtful, and completely unfounded. Anyone who proclaims to know what their teenager is doing every second of the day when they are with trusted adults is a fraud anyway.
If only everyone who reads this could put faces to the names. It is easy to speak with cowardice, ignorance and judgment behind an internet username. This child's mother is a wonderful, dedicated mother who has made her child her life for 15 years. The child struggling for her life at MUSC is a beautiful, sweet, respectful, spunky ball of light and that has brought joy to everyone who knows her.
I love both mother and child, and am praying for this wonderful child to pull through and heal, and for her mother to find some modicum of relief in this tragic time.
May 19, 2009 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cantordoosh (anonymous) says...
BulldogTLC- I think that was one of the most sober, rational responses to a tragic story I have seen on this site in a while. I am not an anti-government kind of person. I believe laws and regulations are necessary for a safe and progressive society. But there are many situations where personal responsibility cannot be regulated. ATVs are fun, and in rural areas they are incredibly useful. But, they can be dangerous. They are not motorcycles where balance and skill can save you from a tricky situation. In my experience , these thing can be hard to control at speed. It has to be up to the operator to understand this before they get on one. Regardless, my thoughts are with the young lady and her family.
May 19, 2009 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
American Zero, your logic is all over the place:
"At the least the parents should be charged for child endangerment"
And earlier:
"These individuals never think if the same measure of justice is measured upon them in their own perfect lifestyles. May God have better mercy upon those who are perfect and without sin those in here showing no compassionate. This person deserves a fitting judgment not at the hands of man but the final judgment we shall all face. What will you say at your hour before God almighty?"
It's possible that your children are accounted for because they're simply too confused to leave the house!
May 19, 2009 at 11:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
AmericanZERO
Riiigghhtt... How did you figure it out?.. Yes, I never want my daughter to call me! How intuitive of you.
Can you expand on this?
"If a parent can't wait until their child turns the legal age then they aren't parent material."
What exactly am I waiting on??
And no, I'm not my daughter's friend, buddy, pal, BFF, etc.. I'm her MOTHER and responsible for making her a productive member of society. I DO NOT run in her circle of friends now or ever. That is competely ridiculous and that is a good way to drive children away from you. I watch and listen and don't strong arm my way into her life. In acting in such a way, she comes to me to talk about anything that may be bothering her, if she needs an opinion on how she should handle a situation or for any number of things.
I don't have regret one about the way I've raised my children. Anyone that comes in contact with them are always complimentary of them. So, somewhere I may have done something right - even if, in your ignorant assumption, I don't want her bothering my social calendar.
Different strokes for different folks.. Oh and I've only had to pick her up from the police one time!
Later.............
May 20, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fromafar (anonymous) says...
AmericanZero, do you know the family who is suffering this tragic accident? I am guessing you don't so what gives you the right to judge them. It must be tough be perfect in an imperfect world? How do you do it everyday? Please get off your soapbox and butt out. Kayla has a long fight a head of her and so far she is putting up a fight considering the extent of her injuries. Which by the way, are you even privy to any of that info? I can't believe that you are because I doubt you would be attacking their character as you are. I ask that everyone allow them to the have some privacy so they focus on the obstacles they are facing. Kayla sweetie, we love you and your mom and we are praying for you. Lots of love from a far.
May 20, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summergal (anonymous) says...
Well for everyone that is on here blaming the parents of kayla its rediculous carrie works her ass off to give them the things she needs whether it be all day and all night, so why don't you stop and think if that was you at work and you got a call like the one she got about her daughter? But the fact is it is over and done with now and nobody can change anything, poor beautiful kayla is fighting for her life bc of a sensless act so instead of fighting about watching your teenage kids every minute of the why don't you just pray for kayla! That is the important matter here!
May 20, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Fromafar and summergal..
the soapbox sitters on here are so far from reality -they are the ones who fall the farthest and hardest when something unfortunate happens to their children. They place themselves so far above the rest of us, they can't handle the slightest of bad events - for lack of a better word. Something as benign as a rear-ender will probably send them into orbit. Not their child! Must have been the fault of someone elses child that had a sorry upbringing!
I have been sending prayers and thoughts Kayla's way.. I work at MUSC and can't think of a better place for her to be.
AmericanZero - take your negativity, self-righteousness and finger pointing and move along.
May 20, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summergal (anonymous) says...
Well I do know carrie and kayla I am actually a neighor of there's and can't waiting to see that big eyed beautiful girl again! Will lots of love I hope she pulls through will fast recovery
May 20, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fromafar (anonymous) says...
SCGirl0901 - I am glad to hear she is in good hands. She and Carrie are very important to us and we are saddened that they are going thru this.
summergal - I was really only addressing americanzero's point of view. I am glad that they have good neighbor's surrounding them. It is going to be a long tough road.
In the end, it is all about Kayla's recovery. For those of you who are by their sides we Thank you for that. I am hoping to be there in the very near future for my family.
May 20, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Here_for_Kayla (anonymous) says...
It can be inferred from his/her posts that American Zero is most likely functionally illiterate and incapable of holding a relevant, rational, logical, nor even grammatically correct argument. Beyond that, he/she is obviously a Troll.
Recognizing this, I will not direct any further comments about, or to American Zero.
Again, I'm hoping everyone who doesn't know this family will trust those of us who know them when we speak of them as wonderful, responsible, loving people. I continue to pray that Kayla will heal and for peace for her family.
May 20, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Please let the family know that there are compassionate people in existence out here that feel for them and are praying for Kayla - and the family as well.
Thank you..
May 20, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bgrainger (anonymous) says...
you know i know exactly what kayla is going through. i was in a very bad wreck in march of last year, my truck rolled 3 or 4 times & me & my friend got thrown. my friend only had a broken pelvic bone few ribs but im paralyzed from the waist down & my mom had just left outta town that morning. i just dont see how someone can sit there & say that her parents didnt raise her right cause she didnt call everytime she did something [americanzero]. yeah i dont have kids im only 19 but from reading few of ur negative uncalled for comments your kids are prolly gonna be excited to get away from you cause you make them call you basicaly every step they make. im sorry but kids cant breathe that way. you can say what you want to but many kids these days that have parents that make them call with ideas they might go do something, where they are going, what they are doing etc, are the ones to rebel & cant get away from their parents.with you asking that much from them it would cause more then one phone call & they might as well call you for every breath they take. you're ignorant for your comments. you know the lady that took kayla for the ride didnt tell kayla's parents or even ask them cause im sure if she wouldve they wouldnt of let kayla ride that atv. that lady was on adderall & an anxiety pill basically she was high . so before you go saying you're oppion , showing your ignorance , and blaming get the facts straight first before opning your mouth ! kayla is in my prayers !
May 26, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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