WHITLEY COUNTY – A Larwill man died after an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident and Indiana Department of Natural Resources officers are investigating.
Whitley County Communications received a 911 call at 6:53 p.m. Wednesday from a passerby who saw an overturned ORV in the roadway near the 4000 block of CR 600N in Larwill. The caller reported a person was pinned underneath the ORV.
First responders arrived and removed the ORV off of Ronald L. Puckett, 53, Larwill, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release from the IDNR.
Preliminary investigation at the scene indicates that Puckett was traveling east on CR 600N when his ORV left the south side of the roadway, causing it to roll. Puckett was ejected from the vehicle and it came to rest on top of him.
Police said Puckett was not wearing a helmet, seatbelt or any protective riding gear at the time of the crash and that speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the accident.
Indiana conservation officers strongly encourage those operating ORVs to avoid alcohol when driving one, according to a news release from the IDNR. Operators and passengers are also urged to always use seatbelts when they are available and to wear a helmet and protective riding gear.
Conservation officers were assisted at the scene by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, Parkview Whitley EMS and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.
