Matthew T. Skeens

Indiana Conservation Officers from operational District 1 are investigating a third serious personal injury ATV accident that happened this weekend.

Indiana Conservation Officer John Salb reports that Matthew T. Skeens, 27, of North Manchester, was riding a 2006 Honda 450R northbound on North Manchester’s North Market Street. Skeens was riding “wheelie style” when he lost control and flipped backward.

Skeens was transported to the Kosciusko County Hospital with injuries to his left wrist and ribs. He was wearing protective riding pants, jacket and a helmet. Officer Salb says the fact that Skeens was wearing protective gear, especially a helmet, likely lessened the severity of his injuries greatly.

Following treatment at KCH, Skeens was arrested on a parole violation. He is currently in the Kosciusko County Jail with no bond.

Most municipalities forbid the operation of ATV’s within city limits so it is the operator’s responsibility to contact local authorities to make certain they are operating within the law.

There were also two personal injury ATV accidents in Fulton County this weekend as the warm weather brought ATV riders out in large numbers. (See related story)

Indiana Conservation Officers want to remind ATV operators to ride responsibly and they discourage operators from riding wheelies and taking unnecessary risks or traveling on terrain they are unfamiliar with. Always wear protective gear, most importantly a helmet.