9-year-old boy in stable condition after driving ATV into path of pickup truck
A 9-year-old Manchester boy suffered head, shoulder and back injuries Tuesday afternoon after driving an all-terrain vehicle into the path of a pickup truck in Freedom Township.
“The driver of the pickup truck did not see the ATV until it pulled onto the roadway, without stopping, in front of the pickup truck,” a police statement read. “The pickup truck driver was unable to avoid the ATV and struck the ATV.”
Police responded at 2:42 p.m. Tuesday to Ellsworth Road west of Steinbach Road after the crash was called in.
The boy was not wearing a helmet and suffered head, shoulder and back injuries. Huron Valley Ambulance took the boy to University of Michigan Hospital and he is in stable condition. The 21-year-old man was not injured in the crash.
The Manchester Township Fire Department also responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing and troopers did not mention if anyone had been cited for the crash at this point.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
alan
Thu, Jun 20, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
I don't get it. I've been around nine year old boys I and can't even imagine giving most of them a sharp knife at dinner much less a motorized vehicle. What are people thinking?
dwcwork
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.
It is easy enough for adults to make mistakes like this - and they are experienced - 9 year olds are too young for unsupervised usage. A few years ago I was driving down a back paved road. Some guy was mowing his lawn with headphones on. His lawn was right up to the road. I guess every cut he would pull out into the road to make a loop. I didn't expect that and he wasn't looking. Next thing I know he is right in front of me and I am slamming on my brakes and hitting the horn. He finally looks up and sees my grill in his face. Was a close call - but I bet he didn't do that again. With this episode the kid is hurt, his family is probably scared, and think of the poor pickup driver - how he feels!
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
1_The ATV was supposed to be under the supervision of a parent or guardian to start with, 2_ not on the road in the second place.
Elouise
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 4:32 a.m.
The boy is too young for a farmers license (which can be granted as early as 14 years old, last I knew) and it isn't uncommon for kids his age, in the country, to have chores and duties in the field or barn, which are sometimes acres away from their house. To give a working child an ATV nowadays is the equivalent of giving a working child a tractor in the 50's or a horse in the 20's to get to and from the milk barn, the field or any other place they are needed. As for neglect on the parents part? Highly unlikely. A 9-year-old is old enough (IMO) to know to wear a helmet, granted the parents provided one, and to look both ways when crossing the road. Seems more like bad timing and judgement.
Elouise
Thu, Jun 20, 2013 : 2:36 a.m.
I guess I was just trying to say originally that you CAN'T ALWAYS BLAME THE PARENTS and lack of supervision for what kids these days do. There are so many different circumstances that would cause a parent to be absent throughout the day.
jcj
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
@Elouise Children who are at least 12 years old may cross streets and roads (only at right angles) if they are under the direct visual supervision of an adult and have a valid ORV safety certificate. Not 9 or 10 years old! My point was they can get a lic earlier than 14 as you suggested. And Oldtimer is correct There are NO circumstances where crossing the road is legal under the age of 12.
Elouise
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
@jcj- How do we know he wasn't performing work related tasks on private land? @OldTimer- he was attempting to CROSS the road, not driving on it, wasn't he?
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.
As far as IO know a Farmers license is for autos and trucks anyway. And according to state law under 10 not allowed on road with ATV in any circumstances.
jcj
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
Elouise This is straight from the State of Michigan ORV regulations. No one under the age of 10 may operate any 4-wheel ATV except on private land while performing farm-related work operations.
jcj
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 11:19 p.m.
The facts... In 2012, Michigan passed a law giving some street-legal motorcycle operators the option of not wearing a helmet when operating on roadways. This law does not apply to ORVs, and helmets are still legally required to be worn by operators and passengers on ORVs. No one under the age of 10 may operate any 4-wheel ATV except on private land while performing farm-related work operations. Children 10 and 11 years old may operate a 4wheel ATV only when all of the following conditions are met. The ATV is being operated on land owned by the child's parent or guardian and The operator is under the direct visual supervision (see definition below) of an adult and The operator possesses a valid ORV safety certificate. Children 12 to 15 years old may operate a 4-wheel ATV only when both of the following conditions are met. The operator is under the direct visual supervision of an adult and The operator possesses a valid ORV safety certificate. No child under the age of 12 may cross any street, highway, or county road while operating any ORV. Children who are at least 12 years old may cross streets and roads (only at right angles) if they are under the direct visual supervision of an adult and have a valid ORV safety certificate.
Linda Peck
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
So sad. My prayers for the little boy, may he heal completely. I am so sorry for the man driving the truck. What an awful thing.
KMHall
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 10:19 p.m.
Youngsters driving ATVs on public dirt roads west of Ann Arbor is not uncommon. I passed one on Steinbach yesterday. His Mom was jogging and laughing alongside. He looked really young so I came to a stop until they passed.
Ross
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 9:27 p.m.
Oof. ATVs for kids... a concept I've never been very comfortable with. And without mandatory helmet use, or training to avoid roads...? Very sad, hope he pulls through
Rick Stevens
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 9:25 p.m.
I'm glad this wasn't a fatality as it had all the earmarks of one (no helmet, 9 year old, ATV vs pickup). That said, it concerns and saddens me that our GOP legislature sees no helmets and ATVs on more roads as high priorities. Maybe it's time to reconsider both those moves and opt for safety instead.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 10:08 p.m.
Way to deflect from the truth there Rick, the child/parent was breaking the law by not wearing a helmet. And I hope the parents are prosecuted if this is true. Children deserve better!
talker
Tue, Jun 18, 2013 : 9:31 p.m.
I agree with you about helmets. However, the current law only allows adults ( I think defined as 18+, but it could be older) to ride motorcycles (and likely ATV's) without helmets. I don't think the changed law applies to a nine year old. IMHO, a nine year old's actions could reflect the opinions of that nine year old's parents. I hope he recovers quickly and without any lasting problems.