A pair of ATV accidents sent two Northern Indiana teenagers to the hospital over the weekend. Indiana conservation officers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources District 1 Post are investigating two separate ATV accidents which occurred Sunday just hours apart in the Silver Lake and Rochester areas, according to a IDNR press release. Jacob Bailey, 13, Akron, suffered a fractured pelvis when his ATV struck a washout in a field in Kosciusko County near the intersection of CRs 500W and 800S. Indiana Conservation Officer Nathan Hooley reported that Bailey was traveling at a high rate of speed in a cut soybean field. Bailey did not have permission to operate his ATV on the property where the accident occurred, the press release states. Bailey will not be charged for operating the ATV without consent of the landowner, which is a violation of law. Bailey’s ATV struck the wash out, which flipped the ATV, throwing him from the ATV. Bailey was wearing a helmet, which helped minimize his injuries, the release states. Bailey was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital by family members and subsequently transferred to Riley Childrens Hospital in Indianapolis. In the second accident Sunday, which occurred in Fulton County near Rochester, John Reno Jr., 19, Monterey, suffered a broken clavicle and head laceration. Investigating officer Jon Cook reported that Reno was operating an ATV on CR 700N when a deer ran out in front of him, causing Reno to brake suddenly and swerve and subsequently roll his ATV. Reno did not strike the deer with the ATV. The ATV rolled over Reno causing his injuries. Reno was not wearing a helmet. The roadways in Fulton County are closed to ATV operation and Reno does not possess a valid driver’s license, which is required to operate an ATV on public roadways, according to the press release. Reno was taken to Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester by the owner of the ATV. Reno will not be charged for the offenses committed in this accident. The press release states, “Indiana conservation officers want to remind ATV operators of some of the most commonly violated laws which can lead to prosecution and potentially having your ATV impounded: Never operate an ATV on property you do not have permission to be on. Never operate on the public roadways in a county that does not permit such operation. In general you must possess a valid BMV operators license to operate any ATV on a public roadway, and finally, never operate an ATV while under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs which includes medically prescribed narcotics.” For more information on ATV safety and to find out what counties allow the operation of ATVs on the public roadways, visit www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4431.htm
