Authorities are investigating an almost fatal ATV crash, which left two people severely injured and hospitalized in Warren, Illinois. The solo-vehicle encounter occurred on Saturday night, May 30, as confirmed by accident reports provided by the Jo Daviess County officials.
Deputies responded to the crash just after 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, on reports of a solo crash that left an ATV/UTV lying on its roof. Four people were involved in the crash, which officers said happened northeast of South Holland Road.
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Police said a man suspected of being under the influence at the time was behind the wheels of a red-colored three-passenger 2020 Can-Am ATV. The driver, identified as Richard A. Kent, 28, was driving northbound on Bellevue Street, with passengers Nicole A. Deyo, 30, Kristine Gierhart, 24, and Travis E. Near, 23.
The vehicle was following closely behind a second ATV when it encountered a sharp curve on the gravel roadway. Just as Kent attempted to negotiate the turn, he lost control of the ATV, which veered to the south, venturing into a crop field off the roadway.
Investigators said the all-terrain vehicle spiraled about 30 yards into the field before flipping over and landing on its top. The two backseat occupants, Deyo and Near, suffered critical injuries in the crash, while the other two were not seriously harmed, and declined treatment.
A REACT helicopter flew Near to Mercy Health Riverside Hospital, Rockford, for treatment, while medics transported Deyo by road to Darlington WI Hospital, the accident reports affirmed.
Meanwhile, deputies arrested Kent on suspicion of operating an ATV/UTV on a roadway, driving under the influence of alcohol, and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
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