It’s difficult to find words for a story so heartbreaking, but this is the truth we must tell: Cal Guess, an 8-year-old student at Arab Elementary School, lost his life following a tragic ATV accident on Sunday evening, October 19, 2025, on private property along Rescue Road in Union Grove, Alabama.
According to the Marshall County Coroner’s Office, the accident was a single-vehicle incident in which Cal was thrown from the ATV. First responders transported him to Huntsville Hospital, and from there he was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Despite all efforts, Cal succumbed to his injuries and was officially pronounced dead on Monday. The Coroner’s Office and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating to determine what happened.
The Arab City School System released a statement saying they are “deeply saddened by the loss” of one of their own. Cal was known for bringing joy, laughter, and light into his classroom and the hallways he walked each day. His absence is already felt by the students, teachers, and staff who knew him. The district has made counseling resources available for students, families, and school personnel as they wrestle with grief.
More than just a name on a bulletin, Cal will be remembered for his gentle heart and the brightness he brought wherever he went. In community messages, people are echoing the same refrain: he made others smile, and he had a spirit that reached beyond his years. His family, friends, classmates, and neighbors are mourning together, leaning on one another and holding tight to the memories they shared.
As investigations continue, questions remain. Was there a mechanical failure? Was supervision adequate? How could something meant for fun turn so tragic? Officials have not released conclusions yet but stress that the inquiry is ongoing.
In times like these, small gestures matter. Prayers, quiet reflections, shared stories of Cal’s kindness—all of these become threads that keep a young boy’s spirit alive in memory. The Arab community is uniting in sorrow, but also in love: love for Cal, and love for each other as they heal.
May little Cal rest in peace. May those who knew him find comfort in the laughter he shared, the light he brought, and the loving legacy he leaves behind.