Sean Garinger dead at 20: '16 and Pregnant' star and father-of-two killed in horrifying ATV accident
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA: In a tragic incident, 20-year-old Sean Garinger, known for his appearance on '16 and Pregnant', died in an ATV accident on February 28, Wednesday, in Boone, North Carolina.
Garinger, featured alongside ex-partner Selena Gutierrez, 20, on the show, shared the parenting journey of their two children, Dareli, 3, and 1-year-old Esmi.
The untimely death occurred during part B of the series' sixth season, where Gutierrez and four other expecting teenagers allowed MTV's cameras to document their experiences of early motherhood.
Sean Garinger's mother Mary Hobbs recalls tragic accident
In a heartbreaking revelation, Garinger's mother Mary Hobbs, revealed the tragic ordeal to The US Sun. Garinger's skull was 'crushed' during the incident, according to Hobbs.
She explained, "He was simply relocating the ATV from one parking spot to another for me, allowing me to park. While pulling in front of me to park the ATV, the ground gave way due to the heavy rainfall and mud."
Hobbs said her son's head suffered severe injuries when the ATV flipped over.
Describing the harrowing moments following the ATV accident, Hobbs recounted her desperate attempts to seek assistance from neighbors after the vehicle flipped. Despite her efforts, no one responded, compelling her to return to her son.
Breaking down, she shared, "I laid next to him on the ground until the ambulance arrived at the scene."
Hobbs further added, "There was a significant part of my heart that ceased to exist with my son on Wednesday. He was not only my only son but also my rock and strength when I had none left."
Inside MTV's '16 and Pregnant' star Sean Garinger's life with ex Selena Gutierrez
At just 20 years old, Selena took the spotlight in MTV's '16 and Pregnant' Season 6B. She welcomed her daughter, Dareli, in October 2020 and later, another daughter, Esmi, in June 2022, with Garinger.
Hobbs shared a charming tidbit about Sean's childhood nickname, "Squishy," and how it lives on through Esmi as his mini squishy.
However, the couple's challenges unfolded on-screen when Selena accused Garinger of infidelity during her first pregnancy. The tension escalated, resulting in a heated altercation that allegedly led to Selena's arrest, witnessed by Garinger and family members.
Tragically, an insider revealed that both Selena and Garinger were romantically involved with other people at the time of his death.
Sean Garinger visited car dealership hours before his death
Before his untimely death, Garinger was reportedly moving towards a positive change, focusing on his education and aspiring for a career in welding. He had recently expressed a desire to complete his schooling.
Garinger had been prepared to buy a vehicle to facilitate visits with his daughters, who live in Fountain, Colorado with their mother and grandmother, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs revealed to the outlet that she and Garinger had visited a car dealership in the hours leading up to the tragic accident. They had intended to return, but, tragically, they never made it back.
Garinger is survived by his daughters, Dareli and Esmi, as well as his mother Mary, and sisters Shania, Lydia, Isabella, Ember, Kayden, and Casslyn, as detailed in the obituary.
