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NEWBERRY TWP., Miami County — Mark Miller knew first-hand the risks involved in riding all-terrain vehicles.

In 1995, when he and his wife, Shannon, were expecting their older son, Austin, Mark broke his back while racing ATVs and wore a body cast for six weeks.

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Austin Miller, an 11-year-old from Covington, was killed Sunday when a three-wheel ATV he was riding overturned. This photo was taken 6 weeks ago.Click to enlarge

Mark Miller and his 8-year-old son, Trevor, talk about Miller's son Austin, Monday at their home near Covington. Austin Miller, 11, died Sunday when a three-wheel ATV he was riding overturned. At left is Austin's favorite four-wheel ATV and some of the trophies he won during competition.Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

They hesitated to let Austin race. But Austin "wanted to race from the time he could talk," Miller said. "When he was 8 years old, we just couldn't hold him off any more."

Austin rode four-wheeled ATVs, or quads, in races around the country. He ranked third in one Power Sports ATV Tour division for youth ages 8 to 11.

Austin died Sunday in an ATV accident — not while racing competitively, but while having fun with his brother and two friends. The ATV he was riding rolled over on a dirt trail at 9540 Covington-Gettysburg Road in northwest Miami County, according to the county sheriff's office. The boy had been wearing a helmet and traveling an estimated 40 mph prior to the crash.

Ohio law says no one under 16 may operate an ATV unless on land owned by a parent or accompanied by an adult.

Unlike the ATVs that Austin rode in competition, the ATV he rode the day he died had three wheels instead of four. Owned by a family friend, it was a 1985 model, built prior to a ban on three-wheeled ATVs, which are more prone to roll over.

Austin was mature for his 11 years and wasn't impulsive, his father said. "He wasn't afraid of anything, but he was cautious."

Miller, a self-employed contractor, said he and Shannon, a beautician in nearby Covington, discussed the dangers of racing.

"It took a lot for her as a mother to let the boys do this," he said. "Shannon encouraged me to let (Austin) follow his dream, as much as ... it scared us."

Miller said it's too soon to say if the family, including Austin's brother, Trevor, 8, will keep participating in races. "I know Austin would want us to."