Sweet Home Man Killed in ATV Accident

Neither rider was wearing helmets or protective gear.

Salem-News.com

(SWEET HOME, Ore. ) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports a Sweet Home man died Friday afternoon when his ATV left the road and hit a tree near Sweet Home.

Ryan David Hocking, age 18, was riding a Polaris four wheeled ATV on Cascade Timber property on the Ames Creek main line gravel logging road at approximately 4:00 PM.

Riding with him, on a separate ATV, was Travis Smith, age 20, also of Sweet Home.

It was Hocking's first time riding in that area and he was not familiar with the roads.

They were on their way out of the area and Hocking was several minutes ahead of Smith.

Smith located skid marks in the gravel at a sharp corner that went over an embankment.

Smith noticed Hocking's ATV about 60 feet down the embankment laying on stumps and logs.

Smith located Hocking in serious condition and called 911.

Smith gave first-aid until personnel from the Sweet Home Fire Department arrived.

A Reach Helicopter was activated and landed but Hocking passed away from his injuries before being transported by air.

Neither rider was wearing helmets or protective gear. Smith was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel transported the deceased pending further arrangements.