Police investigate ATV crash that kills Poultney man
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By JOSH O'GORMAN Rutland Herald Staff - Published: November 23, 2009
POULTNEY – Police say the severity of the accident that killed a man driving an all-terrain vehicle means he may not have survived even if he had been wearing a helmet.
The accident Saturday left one man dead and sent a teenage girl to the hospital Saturday night.
Around 7:30 p.m., state police responded to a crash in front of 1660 High Road. Police said Edward J. Kasuba, 53, was riding south on a Suzuki KingQuad AXi 4x4 when he lost control, struck an embankment and rolled the ATV at least one time, ejecting both him and his 13-year-old passenger.
Neither Kasuba nor his passenger was wearing a helmet, police said.
Kasuba was pronounced dead at the scene and his passenger was transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries, according to police reports.
"It's a tragedy," said State Police Lt. David Notte. "He wasn't wearing a helmet, but the investigation is ongoing and it's unclear if a helmet would have saved his life."
The crash occurred next to Kasuba's residence on High Road, just past where the unstriped blacktop road turns to dirt. Sunday morning, family and friends gathered next door. They declined to be interviewed for this story.
Police said Kasuba was related to his passenger.
Notte said it is unclear if speed was a factor, but did note the crash occurred hours after sunset on an unlit road. The model of ATV Kasuba was operating does have a headlight, but it is unknown if it was illuminated at the time of the crash.
Notte said blood will be drawn from Kasuba's body to determine if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
There will be calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and a funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home in Poultney.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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