Greensburg —
A single-vehicle ATV crash injured two Decatur County minors Sunday afternoon, in an accident Decatur County Sheriff Greg Allen said could have been much worse.
According to Allen, the 14-year-old driver of a four-wheel ATV sustained two broken wrists, a broken clavicle and a severely bruised foot and was airlifted to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. He’s since been released and is currently recuperating at home.
The ATV’s 12-year-old passenger sustained a forehead laceration and a possible concussion; he was treated at Decatur County Memorial Hospital and released.
Due to their ages, neither of the boys’ names is being released.
The accident occurred at the residence where the boys live, Allen said, on County Road Southwest 60 near County Road 900 South.
“The driver and his passenger were coming down their own one-lane driveway,” the sheriff explained. “For unknown reasons, the driver made an abrupt turn at 30 miles per hour, overturning the ATV and throwing both boys off.”
Allen and investigators from both the Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana Department of Conservation (who, according to Allen, ultimately oversee any accident involving an off-road vehicle) suspect the crash likely occurred because another resident of the house had started backing down the driveway when the ATV came along.
“Problem is,” Allen said, “as best as we can tell, there was never any danger posed to the ATV by the car. It’s a very long driveway, and there was more than sufficient distance between the two vehicles to avoid a collision without the ATV needing to make such an abrupt turn. We think the ATV driver simply mis-judged the distance; the car never came close to it.”
He continued, “But that’s a danger of having a 14-year-old operate one of these vehicles. These ATVs aren’t toys, and they need to be respected as such. The model involved in this accident has a 450 CC engine; that’s powerful enough for a top speed of 60-miles-an-hour or better.”
Regardless, the sheriff added, the 14-year-old was within his legal rights to operate the ATV.
“As long as the driver isn’t on public property,” he said, “there’s nothing we can do. Although most ATVs — and this one in particular — are labeled by the manufacturer with a recommended driving age of 16 and up, that’s only a guideline, not a law.”
Allen would welcome an amendment to Indiana law placing a strict minimum age limit on ATV drivers, whether on public or private property.
“A 450 CC engine is a little too much for a 14-year-old to govern,” he said. “A driver that young obviously has no state-mandated training and not much experience; plus, as demonstrated here, such drivers are prone to poor decision-making, which usually plays a big role in these types of crashes. We see these accidents far more often than we should, and it wouldn’t hurt for the state to regulate this.”
“I’d certainly support such legislation.”
Contact: Rob Cox at 812-663-3111 x7011.
News
Two injured in weekend ATV accident
- News
-
-
Alleged cemetery vandal arrested and charged
A Greensburg youth has been arrested and charged as an adult for a costly incident of vandalism at Greensburg’s South Park Cemetery April 23.
According to a police report filed in Decatur County Circuit Court, Joshua Lee Waller, 17, faces a single D Felony count of Cemetery Mischief. -
Local woman victim of credit card fraud
When Linda Horner stopped for a fill-up at a local gas station May 1, she paid for her purchase at the pump with a credit card, never realizing she was about to become the victim of credit card theft.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
Duke Energy employees volunteer at Greensburg Bread of Life
On Friday, Duke Energy employees from Greensburg, Columbus, Connersville and New Castle came together and volunteered their time to work at the Greensburg Community Bread of Life.
-
Santee Beachfront Grill opens its doors to the public
-
SDES Fine Arts Spring Fling gives young artists a chance to shine
-
Former Colts player visits St. Mary’s
-
Woman held on sexual misconduct charges
A Connersville woman was arrested Wednesday on charges she engaged in sexual contact with a 15-year-old boy last month.
-
Senior stars: Goldia Miller
Goldia Miller celebrated her 100th birthday Wednesday.
-
Headstart boxsters “start their engines"
There were no exhaust fumes or rumbling engines, but there were nonetheless a number of wipeouts, collisions and lost wheels Wednesday afternoon at the Greensburg Learning Center, as Decatur County Headstart held its annual 500 Boxcar Race.
- More News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
