Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a single-vehicle ORV accident in a Richmond residential neighborhood that resulted in a juvenile being transported via medical helicopter to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
At approximately 6:31 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to the area of the 2400 block of South A Street in Richmond, a couple blocks from Test Intermediate School, for a juvenile injured as a result of falling from an off-road vehicle (ORV).
The initial investigation has revealed that a 15-year-old juvenile was operating a newly purchased ORV on a city street with a 13-year-old juvenile passenger, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
While the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, the 13-year-old for unknown reasons attempted to jump off. In the process of jumping, the juvenile fell and suffered a severe head injury.
The injured juvenile was initially transported to Reid Health in Richmond, but due to the seriousness of injuries, was then transported to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis in critical condition via Lifeline helicopter.
Neither operator nor victim was wearing a helmet or proper safety equipment.
Indiana Conservation Officers stress safe operation of ORVs and the use of proper protective equipment such as helmets.
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by Richmond Police Department.