Johnson City Independent School District announced that a freshman at LBJ High School died in an ATV accident, identifying the student as Quinn Zbranek. The district said counselors are now available on campus for any student who may need or want help processing the loss.
According to KXAN Austin, the district said in a letter that its focus going forward will be to support students, staff and families as they navigate the loss. The district also said it reached out to the Counseling Department at Education Service Center 13 to help meet the needs of students, parents and school staff in the wake of Zbranek's death.
Counselors on Campus as District Responds
The station's report notes that Education Service Center 13 is now providing counseling support alongside the district's own staff. School officials said the loss would raise many emotions, concerns and questions throughout the school community, especially among students, and said counselors are available for anyone who needs or wants assistance.
The district also asked the broader community to keep Zbranek's family, friends, classmates and the entire school community in their thoughts and prayers, per the same account. Johnson City ISD said the school would work to make sure no one faces the loss alone.
Part of a Troubling Pattern for Texas Families
Zbranek's death adds to a grim toll for ATV-related fatalities among young Texans. Texas had the fourth-highest number of ATV and UTV fatalities in the country last year, according to data reported by off-road.com, which cited Consumer Federation of America figures showing 632 people died nationwide in ATV and UTV crashes in 2024, including 119 children age 16 and under. The same report found that fatalities rose 127 percent from 2023 to 2024.
Other Texas school communities have faced similar losses in recent memory. Ayden Hayes, a sophomore and six-man football player at Milford High School, crashed his four-wheeler on a rural road in Ellis County and suffered fatal injuries, according to FOX 4 News. His family said he was put on life support to become an organ donor, and a memorial was later held for him at Milford City Park.
No additional details about the date, location or circumstances of Zbranek's accident have been released, and it remains unclear whether law enforcement has issued any further statement. For now, Johnson City ISD says its attention remains on the LBJ High School community as students, staff and families grieve together.
