COAL TOWNSHIP - Police are continuing their investigation of an ATV accident Sunday afternoon that claimed the life of a Gordon man.
It's possible trespassing charges will be filed against three friends who were riding with John Nemeth, 49, on county-owned property, Coal Township Police Chief William Carpenter said.
"We're trying to determine if trespassing was committed," he said.
Carpenter said the accident occurred near the top of the Burnside Mountain on county-owned land, approximately one mile from the "trailhead" welcome center under construction for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). He said he isn't certain the crash occurred on land that's been designated for the AOAA because he doesn't know if official boundaries have been set for the outdoor recreation park.
AOAA Authority member Pat Mack said the accident was on county land leased by the AOAA, but agreed with Carpenter's assessment that not all boundaries are marked at this time. Either way, Mack said, the group and the victim were not approved riders of the AOAA. The park, which remains under development, is currently open only for special group events approved by the authority.
Mack said no trespassing signs are posted in the area of the trailhead construction and along Route 125. Depending on how these riders accessed the property, they may have encountered the signs, but authority members don't know, he said.
No helmet
Police said Nemeth was operating a four-wheeler when it went off a dirt road while the driver was negotiating a curve. The ATV traveled into the woods, flipped onto its side and ejected Nemeth, police said.
Mack extended sympathies on behalf of the authority board to the victim's family and friends.
He said the accident is a reminder of the need for a controlled riding environment.
"The victim, from what we understand, was not wearing a helmet, and may have been traveling too fast," Mack said. "The AOAA will not be perfect in preventing injuries, but, at the minimum, this man would have been required to wear a helmet (and) ride at a controllable speed per the AOAA rules."
Mack noted the authority is not aware of all the details of the accident, and that the police investigation is ongoing.