The Times continues its countdown of the biggest local stories of 2018.

Cullman County tightened up on guest rules at Stony Lonesome OHV Park after a local woman died in an ATV wreck at the park in February.

The ATV crash, which claimed the life of 21 year-old Hannah Bates on Feb. 24, was the third death at the park in less than a year’s time. The previous April, two out-of-state visitors — 34 year-old Lawrence Richey, of Kentucky; and 22 year-old Erin Duncan, of Arkansas — also had passed away following an ATV accident.

Bates’ death led to a manslaughter charge against 29 year-old Walter John Cornelius III of Altoona. Court records indicate Bates was reportedly the passenger in a vehicle driven by Cornelius, who initially had been charged with public intoxication at the scene.

The accident temporarily shut down the park, and spurred the Cullman County Commission to implement new safety measures including restricting coolers on the ATV trails, requiring the use of seat belts and safety harnesses, and reducing the speed limit in the Stony Lonesome parking lot from 10 miles per hour to 5 miles per hour. Bates’ father, Lionel Bates, had entreated the commission to enact new safety regulations shortly following his daughter’s death.

The commission later rescinded the ban on coolers, following an outcry from guests who said the ban denied them access to non-alcoholic items, including snacks and insulin for diabetic visitors. The park continues to maintain a zero-tolerance alcohol policy, and reserves the right to check the contents of coolers throughout the park at any time — including a cooler check before guests can take to the trails.

In commemoration of Bates’ life, her family has since established the Hannah Bates Memorial Scholarship fund through the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation. The nonprofit held its first fundraiser at Smith Lake Park on Aug. 4 with the first annual Hannah Bates Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament.