A 58-year-old Cortlandt man died Wednesday evening after the all-terrain vehicle he was riding rolled over and pinned him near Old Crompond Road, according to New York State Police. Robert Kristoferson was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators say the reason behind the rollover remains unclear.
The crash happened around 6:50 p.m. on September 9 near 3868 Old Crompond Road in the Town of Cortlandt, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. State Police say Kristoferson was operating the ATV when it overturned and partially pinned him underneath. He was identified by troopers as the man killed in the single-vehicle wreck and was described as a Cortlandt man, according to Mid Hudson News.
Kristoferson was riding an ATV when the vehicle rolled over. The specific cause of the rollover has not been determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Troop K Detectives Handling the Case
The crash is being investigated by New York State Police. No further details about the exact circumstances of the rollover, including whether terrain or a mechanical issue played a role, have been released.
The crash was reported near Old Crompond Road in Cortlandt, and it remains unclear whether it took place on the road itself or on adjacent private property. New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law generally bars ATVs from public roads unless a route has been officially designated and posted for that use, though direct 90-degree crossings of a street are permitted under specific conditions, according to state DMV guidance referenced in a discussion on the r/Albany subreddit.
What New York Law Requires of ATV Riders
New York requires that all ATVs operated anywhere in the state, including on private land, be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to New York State DMV. Riders operating an ATV anywhere outside their own private property must also carry liability insurance, according to guidance published by the Long Island Regional Trails Council.
The state also mandates that every ATV driver and passenger wear a USDOT-approved safety helmet while operating or riding on an off-road vehicle, regardless of age or whether the ride takes place on public or private land, as noted by Catskill Country. It is not yet known whether helmet use is a factor investigators are examining in Kristoferson's death.
Rollovers Remain the Leading Cause of ATV Deaths
Nationally, off-highway vehicle crashes have resulted in deaths.
The crash involved an off-road vehicle rollover.
State Police have not released additional details about what led to the rollover on Old Crompond Road, and the investigation into Kristoferson's death is continuing.
