ATV crash seriously injures Prineville man
A 53-year-old Prineville man was seriously injured Saturday night in the crash of an ATV about 12 miles southeast of Prineville, Crook County sheriff’s deputies said.
The sheriff’s office and Crook County Fire and Rescue were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to a reported ATV crash on Southeast Prairie Schooner Road, Sgt. Chris Estes said in a news release Sunday.
An investigation determined a four-wheel ATV was being operated by Robert Smith, 53, of Prineville.
Estes said Smith had left private property and proceeded out onto the road, accelerating rapidly. Smith lost control of the ATV and was thrown off it, the sergeant said. He was not wearing a helmet or protective gear and sustained a serious head injury.
Smith was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Prineville, then flown by AirLink helicopter to St. Charles Bend, where a house supervisor said he was in serious condition Sunday afternoon.
The crash remains under investigation, but Este said speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors.
“The Crook County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you to always wear protective gear and a helmet when operating your ATV,” Estes added.
