Separate ATV collisions with vehicles result in injury, a citation

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers are reminding all-terrain-vehicle riders to remember the rules of the road after two accidents within two hours of each other Saturday resulted in injury and property damage.

According to trooper reports, a 14-year-old boy was injured after a collision between his 2001 Yamaha Warrior and a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country van near the intersection of Vine and Knik-Goose Bay roads around 8:20 p.m. The boy was wearing a helmet and sustained what troopers called a non life-threatening injury. He was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

According to troopers, the boy was attempting to cross Knik-Goose Bay after thinking his riding partner had instructed him to do so when he was struck by the van, which tried to take evasive action.

The second collision, a hour-and-a-half earlier and just a few miles down he road in the Settlers Bay subdivision, resulted in a citation for a 17-year-old boy after he failed to yield to a vehicle. According to reports, the boy was driving a 2001 Polaris Raptor that struck the side of a Chevrolet Tahoe. No injuries were reported, and the boy was not wearing a helmet, according to troopers.

“Troopers would like to remind ATV riders they are required to stop prior to crossing a roadway (only at a 90 degree angle) and must yield to all traffic on the roadway before crossing. ATV crossings are only allowed if they can be done safely and not interfere with traffic,” according to the online dispatch.