JASPER, Texas — An 11-year-old boy’s death in a UTV crash has renewed calls for stronger safety protocols, with advocates warning that Texas is at the forefront in child fatalities tied to powersports vehicles.

Kristen Almer, co-founder of the Ride Safe Foundation, says many of the tragedies share one factor.

“In nine out of ten cases, the child wasn’t wearing a helmet," she said

Almer, who lost her nephew in an ATV crash, said she understands the toll such crashes take. “We really felt the full weight of what these tragedies feel like and how they impact communities and how they impact families. The pain never goes away,” said Almer.

The foundation is working to raise awareness about helmet use and seatbelts in powersports vehicles, which include UTVs and ATVs. “If you have a seat b

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