This is to correct any doubt about Emily’s family or how the accident happened. First my comments were about the kids that ride on our street, who’s parents ride with them or do not monitor them. I did not say Emily’s parents. Thank you.

I was first on scene as a neighbor that lives with this field behind my home. It was a rumor started that this happened on a street or that there was a vehicle present. The field is lined with a 6ft. privacy fence also behind another row of homes. There are’nt any linking or accessable roads by automobile. There was parent supervision as well. They were riding a Polaris with a cart on it for stowing gear. It is much heavier and safer than a typical four wheeler. We all use the field at times for walking, dog walking, dirt biking, etc. It is not long enough to go too fast on.They had only gone 30 ft. There are paths on each side of the lengths of it. The girls were turning to go from one path to the other and simply turned too hard. How many of us have overcorrected or made a mistake while driving? All of us have! Have any of you been rescued from that 10th of a second mistake by a supervisory passenger or your mother? Human nature is to need to blame someone or something for an answer in any tragedy. But for a moment close your eyes and be me or her cousin breathing for her and pleading for God to intervene.  Sounds like those raving about the family could use a LESSON YOURSELF, in humanity, love and respect! What you are doing with your words here is destructive! Do you think you’d want the same in these shoes? These girls were inseperable from birth. You should be publicly shamed in your own family deaths. Obviously, it’s your way!! God help humanity!

Usually I just ignore comments made on the news boards but today I felt like I needed to make a comment in defense of the grieving parents, family, and friends of Emily Dunnam.  It amazes me how people can come to conclusions without all of the facts and start rumors.  First, before you starting making comments you need to get all of the facts.  No where has the media commented that the two girls were riding on a public street.  They were riding in a grassy pasture behind the neighborhood where one of the girls lived.  They were Not riding around other vehicles and pulling out in front of them.  Second I do not remember reading where it said that they were unsupervised. And as for this being a four wheeler that needs to be corrected.  Yes, it was an ATV but not a four wheeler like most people are thinking of.  It was one of those golf cart looking vehicles that is made for Terrain Grounds.  The big bulky type that looks kind of like a golf cart. 

Instead of making comments and putting blame on the families I think prayers and postive thoughts toward the family, friends, and the town are more important.  As a Fairhopian as we call ourselves down here we are all grieving the loss of a beautiful, caring, girl that was taken too soon. 

As for the parents and family my heart goes out to them.  There is no pain greater than losing your child.  I know first hand and the last thing this family needs is someone making comments like the ones above.

A lot of times kids think they are invincible. Sadly it usually has to be learned the hard way. I can only imagine how the cousin feels who was driving the ATV when it flipped. I am sure that she feels that it is all her fault, but it is not. My prayers are with the family and friends. I know it has to be extremely hard for a parent to bury a child. That is something I would not wish on anyone.

My heart goes out to the family and friends who lost Emily, but as always there is no parental supervision and there are no laws to control the use of 4 wheelers especially on open highways. As I write there are two 4 wheelers that run up and down our highway, no helmets, and one of them is a grown man, they do not obey the stop sign laws. Saturday a 4 wheeler jumped the embankment of the highway right in front of a truck pulling a trailer that was loaded with equipment. The driver threw on his breaks and just missed the kids and both were not wearing helmets. This happens all over Baldwin County. Unfortunately a child was killed.

so sad. this is why parental supervision is so important!