NORTH WEBSTER – Indiana conservation officers are investigating a Tuesday night ATV accident that resulted in serious injury. David Fugate, 51, Warsaw, was traveling on the roadway near the intersection of McKenna Road and EMS B7 Lane when the accident occurred around 8 p.m., according to a report by Officer Nathan Hooley with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Fugate sustained a severly broken left arm and injuries to his legs. He told investigators he was driving his ATV eastbound on McKenna Road when his ATV “locked up,” causing it to flip and eject him onto the roadway. Fugate said the ATV landed on his legs, and investigators believe he sustained the arm injury when he attempted to catch himself as he impacted with the road. The exact cause of why his ATV malfunctioned is unknown but alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor. Officers will continue their investigationthis week. Fugate was taken to Fort Wayne Parkview’s trauma center due to the severity of his broken arm. He was not wearing protective gear when the accident occurred, according to the report. Indiana conservation officers strongly encourage ATV operators to wear a protective helmet and protective clothing while operating any ATV. Conservation officers were assisted at the scene by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, North Webster Police Department, North Webster Fire and North Webster EMS.
