Elderly Monroe County Man Dies After ATV Crashes Into Tree in Woods Off Zebulon Road on Friday Night

MONROE COUNTY, GA — An elderly man died after an ATV crash in Monroe County on Friday night, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the vehicle struck a tree in the woods off Zebulon Road near Estes Road.

The sheriff’s office identified the rider as 78-year-old Dewey Pope. Authorities said Pope was driving the ATV when the crash happened. No other injuries were mentioned in the sheriff’s statement.

The wreck is still under investigation, and deputies have not released additional details about what led to the ATV hitting the tree.

Crash happened in wooded area off Zebulon Road

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the collision took place in a wooded area off Zebulon Road, near Estes Road. That location places the crash away from a main roadway and into a more isolated part of the county.

Those details matter because they help explain why the initial response and follow-up investigation may depend on the terrain and access to the area. The sheriff’s office has not said whether anyone witnessed the crash or how long the ATV rider had been there before help arrived.

For now, officials have only confirmed the basic sequence: the ATV was being driven in the woods, it struck a tree, and Pope died as a result.

Monroe County deputies identify the rider as Dewey Pope

Deputies said the man killed in the crash was 78-year-old Dewey Pope. The sheriff’s office did not provide any additional personal details about Pope, such as where he lived or whether he was alone at the time of the wreck.

At this stage, the identification gives the public a name and age, but not much else about the circumstances surrounding the death. Authorities have not said whether Pope was wearing safety gear or whether mechanical problems may have played any role.

ATV crashes can happen quickly, especially in wooded or uneven terrain, but the sheriff’s office has not offered a cause beyond the fact that the vehicle ran into a tree.

Sheriff's office gives few details beyond the fatal impact

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office release was brief and focused on the fatal outcome of the crash. It did not describe the condition of the ATV after impact, the speed involved, or whether emergency crews attempted life-saving measures at the scene.

Officials also have not said whether alcohol, weather, visibility, or rough ground were factors. Those questions remain open as investigators continue reviewing what happened Friday night.

Because the crash occurred in the woods, investigators may need to piece together the scene from physical evidence rather than a roadway collision report. So far, though, the office has not announced any findings beyond Pope’s death.

ATV deaths remain a risk on rural roads and private land

While this crash is being examined locally, it also highlights the dangers associated with all-terrain vehicles in rural settings. ATVs are often used on dirt trails, farms, and wooded property, where the ground can be uneven and trees, stumps, and other obstacles may be close to the path.

That kind of environment can leave riders with little room to react if control is lost. In this case, deputies said the ATV struck a tree, which can cause severe injuries or death even at lower speeds.

The sheriff’s office has not said whether the location was private property or public land, and it has not released any broader safety warning connected to the incident.

Investigation continues as deputies ask questions about the wreck

The fatal crash remains under investigation, and that means deputies are still trying to determine exactly how the ATV came to hit the tree. The sheriff’s office has not announced whether the case will involve any other agencies or a formal reconstruction effort.

For now, the agency’s public information is limited to the time frame, location, victim identification, and the fact that the ATV crash was deadly. No further updates have been released about the condition of the scene or whether the ATV was recovered.

Anyone following the case will likely be looking for answers about what happened in the woods off Zebulon Road and whether investigators can determine why Pope’s ATV left whatever path he was on before the collision.

What authorities have confirmed so far

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed three key facts: the crash happened Friday night, it occurred off Zebulon Road near Estes Road, and 78-year-old Dewey Pope died after the ATV hit a tree.

Beyond those details, the office has not released a timeline, motive, or cause beyond the impact itself. That leaves the investigation open and the circumstances incomplete for now.

As officials continue their work, the public record remains limited to the sheriff’s office statement and the fatal outcome of the crash.