A Virginia dad and grandma are facing multiple charges after a young boy died in a tractor accident. Austin Tester and his mother, Kelly Tester, reportedly made a lot of questionable decisions that led to the death of Austin’s son. Tester was riding with his son on a tractor when the accident happened. Although it’s not a safe choice to make, a lot of people let their young children ride with them on a tractor without being properly restrained.
It’s unclear exactly what happened that led to the tractor overturning, but it did, and the boy became trapped. Because of previous run-ins with the police, Tester fled, which only further harmed his son.
It took a lot of people to rescue the boy.
About 11:45 a.m. on April 23, 2026, officers from the Bristol Police Department and members of the Bristol Fire Department and Bristol Life Saving Crew, were called after an accident involving a child and tractor, police shared in a news release posted to social media.
First responders found a 3-year-old pinned under the overturned tractor when they arrived. The three groups of personnel worked together to lift the John Deere tractor, which gave EMTs the space to rescue the boy and begin life-saving measures. He was taken to the hospital where he, unfortunately, died of his injuries.
An investigation was launched by the Bristol Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. “Preliminary findings indicate that the child’s father, identified as Austin Tyler-Raymond Tester, was operating the tractor with the child seated on his lap at the time of the incident,” police shared in the release. “It was also discovered that Austin had an outstanding probation violation.”
Austin Tester left the scene.
He was found around 1:25 p.m. at a home belonging to his mother. “During the investigation, it was determined that his mother, Kelly M. Tester, age 41, was assisting in concealing him from law enforcement,” police shared in the release.
The 21-year-old was interviewed by police and arrested. He was charged with felony child abuse and neglect, and had an outstanding probation violation that came from a previous drug-related offense.
Kelly Tester was charged with obstruction of justice. They were both taken to Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the release noted. The mother was later released on a $2,000 bond.
Both of the Testers face multiple charges.
On May 1, additional details about the incident were released, WCYB reported.
According to police, Austin contacted his mother at 11:17 a.m. before he called emergency services. Although she arrived on the scene within minutes, they still didn’t call 911.
The investigation discovered that they waited about 22 minutes before calling 911 after the accident took place. It was a total of 31 minutes before emergency services arrived. Investigators also learned that Kelly Tester had a “custodial or guardian role” involving the child and failed to quickly call 911, per WCYB.
According to the preliminary findings of the Office of the Medical Examiner, the boy’s cause of death appears to be asphyxiation, the Bristol Police Department shared in another news release.
“Investigators have determined that the delay in contacting emergency services significantly impacted the ability to provide timely life-saving measures,” police noted in the release.
As a result of the investigation, authorities added additional charges.
Austin Tester now faces felony homicide charges in addition to the previous charges, police shared. His mother now faces felony child abuse and neglect and felony homicide charges in addition to the obstruction of justice charge.
She was arrested May 1 and is being held without bond in Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. Her son is still being held in the jail as well. The investigation is still active and ongoing.
“This is a heartbreaking and tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. This investigation revealed a significant delay in contacting emergency services, which is deeply concerning,” Chief D. Byron Ashbrook shared in the second news release.
“Incidents like this also affect the first responders who are called to act quickly in critical situations,” Ashbrook continued in the release. “We want to thank the Bristol Virginia Fire Department and the Bristol Life Saving Crew for their quick response and efforts on scene. We remain committed to a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.”
