A 17-year-old male from Arbuckle was killed in an ATV accident on Saturday, Dec. 4.
At about 9:30 PM, emergency personnel were dispatched to a report of an ATV accident in an almond orchard behind Salt Creek Dr. in Arbuckle.
According to the California Highway Patrol in a press release, the teenager was driving a 2021 Yamaha Raptor ATV with Maria Espino, 24, of Arbuckle as a passenger, on a private dirt road just west of Putnam Way and North of Freeway Undercrossing Rd. at a high rate of speed in heavy fog conditions.
The CHP said that the driver had drifted off the roadway and failed to see a power pole in his path. The driver made aggressive maneuvers and lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree.
The driver was transported by AMR Ambulance to Kaiser Vacaville, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The passenger was transported by Enloe Ambulance to Rideout with major injuries.
The CHP said that alcohol or drugs is an unknown factor in the cause of the crash.
In the press release, the CHP said neither the driver nor passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. “The California Highway Patrol wants to remind the riders of off-road ATV’s to always wear a helmet, safety gear, and to ride responsibly.”
The CHP is continuing its investigation and anyone with details is requested to call (530) 473-2821.