14-year-old Longview boy killed in ATV crash

LONGVIEW — A 14-year-old Longview boy, who died over the weekend after crashing his four-wheeler in Upshur County, was fondly remembered Monday by his former Scoutmaster.

Thomas Hicks, a Tatum eighth-grader, died around 12:30 p.m. Saturday at East Texas Medical Center in Gilmer after losing control of his all-terrain vehicle about 2 1/2 hours earlier on a rural hunting lease.

"He was a good young man," said Glenn Daniels, who was Hicks' Scoutmaster at Troop 549.

"He was just very enjoyable to be around, and all of us who knew him are going to miss him."

Upshur County sheriff's investigators said Hicks was driving on a gravel trail off Hollyhock Road, when he lost control of his ATV and bounced off a tree.

"That caused his four-wheeler to hit another tree, which ejected him into another tree, where he hit his head," Lt. David Dickerson said. "And he was not wearing a helmet."

Hicks had been riding behind a friend, who turned around and discovered the accident when he noticed (Hicks) was no longer on the trail, Dickerson said.

"That's when the friend went and got help," he said.

The family will receive friends tonight at Lakeview Funeral Home beginning at 7.

Funeral services are scheduled there for 10 a.m. Wednesday.