by Abbeville, South Carolina — What began as a rare winter outing on private property in Abbeville ended in heartbreak Saturday when a 36-year-old father of three was killed in a freak sledding accident, leaving behind his high school sweetheart and their young children.
Christopher O’Quinn was enjoying time outdoors with his wife, Jordan, and a family friend following Winter Storm Fern, which left behind residual snowfall across parts of the South. The group was sledding on private land, with the sled hitched to a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a practice that has become more common in areas unaccustomed to snow.
That brief moment of joy turned deadly when the sled was involved in a collision with another UTV.
Collision occurred while sled was being towed
According to Abbeville County officials, the accident happened while the group was riding together, with O’Quinn and a friend seated on the sled as it was pulled across the snowy terrain.
“The sled impacted another UTV,” — Abbeville County Coroner Brad Evans
Emergency responders rushed O’Quinn and the family friend to the hospital following the crash. Authorities said O’Quinn suffered severe blunt force trauma to the head, injuries he would later succumb to despite medical efforts.
The condition of the family friend involved in the collision has not been publicly detailed.
A devoted husband and “intentional” father
O’Quinn’s death has sent shockwaves through the local community and beyond, as family and friends remember a man deeply devoted to his wife and children.
Jordan O’Quinn described her husband as a present, intentional father who made sure his children felt loved every single day.
“He was an intentional father. He took each of my children by the face every night and told them how much he loved them and how proud of them he was,” she said
She added that O’Quinn’s capacity to love was unmistakable to anyone who knew him.
“He loved big and he loved hard, and everyone that was around him knew that he cared for them. He was one in a million. One in a million.”
Read Also: Ohio Man, 83, Gets 21 Years to Life After Fatally Shooting Uber Driver During Scam Panic
The couple had been together since high school, building a life side by side over the years. Jordan shared that she has never known adult life without him, making the loss especially difficult to process.
Family leans on faith amid unimaginable loss
As they begin navigating life without O’Quinn, his family says their faith has become a central source of strength.
“There’s just a peace that passes all understanding,” Jordan shared. “I know that he’s praising the Father, that he’s at the feet of the Lord.”
She explained that her belief in being reunited one day is what helps her move forward.
“That longing to be there with him, I think that’s what’s going to keep us going.”
In a deeply emotional social media post, Jordan shared a candid photo of O’Quinn waiting for her on the dance floor at a friend’s wedding, drink in hand.
“Now as he is dancing on the streets of gold, I know he is patiently waiting on my arrival. Save me a dance, my Chris O’Quinn.”
Spike in sledding accidents after Winter Storm Fern
O’Quinn’s death is part of a troubling trend seen across the country in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. Dozens of sledding-related accidents were reported nationwide, particularly in southern and midwestern states where snowfall is rare and safety awareness is limited.
In Kansas, a 15-year-old crashed into an 11-inch-wide drain pipe on a golf course and had to be rescued by emergency crews.
In Texas, two teenage girls were killed after their sled — also hitched to a vehicle — struck a curb and slammed into a tree. In Oklahoma, a mother died after she was accidentally run over by a friend’s car while sledding in the street.
Safety experts warn that towing sleds behind vehicles, especially UTVs and cars, significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death due to lack of control, visibility issues, and hard surfaces hidden beneath snow.
Community mourns as questions remain
As investigators continue reviewing the circumstances of the Abbeville crash, the focus for many remains on honoring O’Quinn’s life and supporting his grieving family.
He leaves behind a wife and three children, all now facing a future forever changed by a single moment.
Local residents and online supporters have begun sharing messages of condolence, remembering O’Quinn not for how he died, but for the love, faith, and devotion he showed to his family.
What are your thoughts on sledding safety and towing practices during rare winter storms? Share your perspective in the comments below.
