NORTHERN INDIANA — Indiana Conservation Officers in District One have been busy responding to several serious incidents this week involving ATVs. One Indiana Conservation Officer alone, Matt Maher, has responded to three off road vehicle crashes.

An ATV crash in Miami County Thursday, June 2, resulted in a 14-year-old receiving possible brain damage. No helmets were being worn by the 14-year-old driver or the 1-year-old infant passenger. The infant miraculously was not injured.

In Fulton County Sunday evening, May 29, two subjects racing ATVs lost control crashing into a mailbox and utility pole. Injuries included several broken bones. Alcohol is believed to be a primary contributing factor.

A third ATV crash occurred late Sunday evening, May 29, in Marshall County in a horse pasture after a 21-year-old male flipped the ATV. The 21-year-old had not received any formal training but was wearing a helmet and suffered only minor injuries.

The spike in incidents comes as warmer weather gets more riders out and about. Maher said, “One thing is certain, the use of a helmet is the only thing that saved (the subject that struck the utility pole) their life.” Many of these types of incidents can be prevented by wearing proper protective gear including a helmet, attending formal training in the use of off road vehicles, and following manufacturer’s recommendations. “These off road vehicles are not toys and can result in serious injuries or death if not used properly,” Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathon Boyd stated.