A Union Mills,
Ind., man died on Sunday following an off-road vehicle accident in LaPorte
County, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said.
The victim was
identified as David Wakefield Williams Jr., 19.
According to the
DNR, shortly after midnight three persons--including Williams--were riding
in a 2013 Polaris Ranger when, in the area of C.R. 1100W and C.R. 1500S, the
driver “made a sharp turn at a high rate of speed,” causing the Polaris to
flip onto its side and land on top of Williams.
Williams was
transported to Porter Regional Hospital, where he subsequently died, the DNR
said.
The driver of the
Polaris was identified as Jacob Clindaniel, 20, of Hanna, Ind., the DNR
said. Neither Clindaniel nor the other passenger was injured.
Williams “had been
seated on the right outside part of the ATV's single bench seat and was not
wearing a seatbelt or helmet,” Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said. “The
driver attempted to turn around in a mud area in a field and while doing so,
the ATV rolled onto its right side causing the decedent to fall out. The ATV
came to rest on top of the decedent.”
“It was determined
the operator was not under the influence of alcohol,” the DNR said.
“However, both passengers may have been consuming alcohol prior to the
incident.”