DECATUR, Texas — On the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 29, a 13‑year-old middle school student died in a heartbreaking ATV accident that has left a small Texas town reeling. The victim: Robert “Treb” McKinnon, a beloved seventh‑grader at McCarroll Middle School.
According to authorities with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the 300 block of County Road 3250 — a rural stretch between Decatur and Bridgeport. Treb and three other juveniles were riding in a side‑by‑side ATV when the driver made a sharp turn, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Emergency crews from Wise County EMS, the Decatur Fire Department, and the Wise County Fire Marshal responded. Treb and two other children were rushed to Medical City Decatur; tragically, Treb succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. A third child suffered serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries and was treated locally; a fourth — the youngest, just 9 — sustained minor injuries and was released from the scene.
By Sunday, staff and families at McCarroll Middle School were sharing their grief. The school district issued a statement asking the community to keep the McKinnon family “close in your hearts and in your prayers.” Counselors were made available to support students, teachers, and staff as the community grappled with shock and sorrow.
Treb’s obituary paints a portrait of a vibrant, warmhearted boy whose presence lit up any room. Born September 19, 2012, he was the son of Robert “Trey” Morris McKinnon III and Andrea McKinnon — and a proud brother to older sister Jayci and younger brother Cove. Friends and coaches remember him as a determined athlete and loyal teammate. He dreamed of one day playing football for Ohio State Buckeyes, and never missed an opportunity to hit the field playing under Friday night lights.
But more than that, Treb was the kind of kid who made others feel seen — always making people laugh, always ready to lift someone’s spirits. His teachers described him as respectful and hardworking; his friends saw someone who listened, encouraged, and made everyone feel like they belonged. Off the field, he loved fishing, being outdoors, or simply hanging out with family — however he could, just being present.
Plans for his funeral were set for Friday, December 5, 2025, at the First Baptist Church Decatur, followed by burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was scheduled the evening before, on December 4. Friends of the family opened a benefit account in Treb’s memory, which raised more than $13,000 by December 4 — a reflection of the deep sorrow, solidarity, and outpouring of support from the community.
In a small corner of Texas, one bright light went out too soon. But the spirit of that light — in laughter, kindness, shared dreams — lives on in everyone who loved Treb.
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