A UTV ride in Greene County ended with a 12-year-old dead and a 10-year-old in critical condition after the vehicle rolled over and pinned both children beneath it. Two other children, ages 14 and 11, suffered minor injuries.
The crash happened near 84 County Route 56 in Maplecrest, where deputies responded to a report of an accident, according to Daily Voice. Investigators said the UTV was traveling on a private gravel driveway serving several homes when it veered off the left side, struck a boulder and rolled onto its passenger side, ejecting all four occupants.
Neighbor Pulled UTV Off Two Pinned Children
The 12-year-old and 10-year-old had been seated on the passenger side and became trapped beneath the overturned vehicle. A neighbor used a truck to pull the UTV away before emergency crews arrived, while investigators said none of the four children was wearing a seat belt or helmet.
Both pinned children were airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where the 12-year-old was pronounced dead. The 10-year-old remained in critical condition Saturday, while the 14-year-old driver and 11-year-old passenger were treated by EMS at the scene, Daily Voice reported.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by fire, ambulance and police agencies from across the area, along with Greene County paramedics, LifeNet of New York and New York State Police. The initial report said the investigation remained ongoing, and authorities had not released additional details about what led to the rollover.
New York Safety Guidance Stresses Helmets And Age-Appropriate Vehicles
New York State Department of Health guidance warns that off-road vehicles can roll over easily and urges riders to use age-appropriate equipment, wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and avoid carrying passengers on single-rider ATVs. The agency also recommends adult supervision for children under 16, though the guidance applies specifically to ATVs rather than every type of UTV.
The Maplecrest crash follows another fatal child ATV rollover in the same Greene County area. In April 2022, a 13-year-old girl died after an ATV rolled over on private property in Windham, while a 9-year-old driver was injured, according to the Times Union.
