August 24, 2013

4-YEAR-OLD STRUCK AND KILLED BY UTILITY ATV

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Maine Warden Service

--For Immediate Release--

EAST MACHIAS, MAINE ? AUGUST, 24, 2012: At approximately 10:00 this morning, a four-year-old boy was struck and killed by a side-by-side utility ATV. The incident occurred off the Cutler Road in East Machias. Troy Denison, 37, from Cutler Road was operating his 2007 Yamaha Rhino 660 UTV (two-seater) with his eight-year-old son. As they were driving around their home, an eight-year-old nephew who lived next door ran to Denison and asked for a ride. The nephew did get in and they began riding around the Denison home once again.

While riding, the nephew accidently stepped on the accelerator of the UTV. The machine accelerated and encountered an embankment, causing the machine to roll over. All three passengers in the Rhino walked away although Troy Denison received lacerations to his head. When they assessed the scene they quickly realized they had rolled over four-year-old Wesley Keeton, a younger brother to the eight-year-old passenger and nephew to Troy Denison. Wesley had been playing nearby and was in the path of the UTV. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Game Warden Sergeant Dave Craven who responded and helped investigate the scene stated ?this was a tragic incident brought about by very unfortunate circumstances. Our deepest sympathy goes out the both families involved.? A team of several game wardens, Machias EMS, East Machias Fire, and Cutler Navy Fire Department assisted in this incident. Both the Medical Examiner?s Office and Washington County District Attorney?s Office have been notified. This incident remains under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Please direct media related calls to Corporal John MacDonald by calling: Public Safety Dispatch in Gray at 207-657-3030 Email at: john.macdonald@maine.gov