Inset clockwise from top: The unnamed child victim, Kelly Tester, and Austin Tester (Bristol Police Department). Background: The scene of the overturned tractor in Bristol, Va. (Bristol Police Department).
A tragic incident unfolded in Virginia when a father, while riding a tractor with his 3-year-old son, caused the vehicle to overturn, tragically pinning the child beneath it. According to authorities, the father and his mother delayed calling for emergency assistance for more than 20 minutes.
The Bristol Police Department in Virginia has charged 21-year-old Austin Tester and 41-year-old Kelly Tester with felony homicide in connection with the child’s death, as well as felony child abuse and neglect. Additionally, Kelly Tester faces an obstruction of justice charge, as reported by the department.
The incident occurred on April 23 in the 100 block of Davis Alley in Bristol. According to the police press release, Austin Tester was operating a farm tractor with his son sitting on his lap when the tractor overturned, tragically trapping the young boy underneath.
Authorities allege that after the accident, Austin Tester reached out to his mother, Kelly Tester, at approximately 11:17 a.m. that day, before any emergency services were contacted. Kelly Tester arrived at the scene within minutes, yet neither adult called 911 immediately for assistance, as per police reports.
Instead, they reportedly delayed for 22 minutes before making the first call to 911, resulting in emergency responders arriving 31 minutes post-accident.
In a further development, it has been reported that Austin Tester fled the scene as authorities approached.
As police and emergency services arrived, they “worked together to physically lift the tractor, allowing emergency medical personnel to remove the child and immediately begin life-saving measures.” Though the boy was moved to an area hospital, he “succumbed to his injuries.”
An autopsy indicated preliminarily that the cause of death was asphyxiation, the police department said.
“Investigators have determined that the delay in contacting emergency services significantly impacted the ability to provide timely lifesaving measures,” according to the press release.
Police maintain that Tester had an outstanding probation violation “stemming from a prior drug-related offense,” which he allegedly stated was the reason for him leaving the scene.
Officers began searching for him, and they learned that he was at a residence belonging to his mother in the same city. Kelly Tester reportedly “was found to have provided false information to law enforcement and assisted in concealing him.”
Bristol Police Chief D. Byron Ashbrook addressed the case in a statement.
“This is a heartbreaking and tragic incident,” the police chief said. “Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. This investigation revealed a significant delay in contacting emergency services, which is deeply concerning. Incidents like this also affect the first responders who are called to act quickly in critical situations.”
Austin Tester was arrested and booked in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority without bond; Kelly Tester was arrested and placed in the Abingdon Facility of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, also without bond.
