Two 17-year-old boys were hospitalized in serious condition after an accident on an all-terrain vehicle on a dirt road in Baker County on Monday afternoon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Michael Jewell, of Sanderson, and Thomas Harvey, of Glen St. Mary, were riding on Fredrick Raulerson Lane about 3 p.m.

Troopers said the ATV spun on a curve, left the road and struck an oak tree, ejecting Jewell, who was the driver. The ATV then rotated again and hit another tree, ejecting Harvey.

Both victims were transported to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center.

FHP Lt. Bill Leeper said the teens were on one ATV and we not wearing helmets.

Leeper told Channel 4 he has seen a lot of ATV crashes in Baker County. In 2007, Shands treated the victims of 82 ATV crashes.

Officials called the crash a somber reminder that ATV riders can never be too careful on the machines.

"They're dangerous -- outright. At the same time, in the right hands, they're the safest things if you abide by the rules," said Honda of Jacksonville's sales manager Clay Wallace.

Wallace recommended that riders always wear a helmet. Boots, gloves and long-sleeved shirts are other attire that could help prevent injury for ATV riders. He also said riders under 18 should never get on a large ATV.

"This is a 500-pound machine. If it rolls on top of you, you're risking spinal damage, neck damage, broken arms, limbs," Wallace said.

State law requires riders under 18 be supervised by an adult, and ATVs can only be used on county dirt roads.

The Baker County sheriff said the injured teens violated state law by not having adult supervision, and according to the crash report, charges are pending.