RUSH TOWNSHIP – A 21-year-old West Decatur man sustained serious head injuries as a result of an all-terrain vehicle accident at 6:40 a.m. Sunday along state Route 504 in Rush Township, Centre County.
Police identified the man as Michael Sabol V, 21, of West Decatur. He was transported by ambulance to the former Philipsburg State Hospital. From there, he was flown to the Altoona Hospital for medical treatment.
According to the accident report, Todd C. Sievers, 20, of Philipsburg was traveling west along SR 504, or Black Moshannon Road, near its intersection with Richard Street. While Sievers was operating the ATV, William J. Reifer IV, 21, of Osceola Mills was seated on the handlebars. Sabol was seated behind Sievers, police said.
Police said Sievers lost control of his ATV, which traveled across the eastbound lane of SR 504, off the roadway and struck a curb. Sievers’ ATV was then airborne, as it struck a mailbox. All three occupants were thrown from the ATV as a result.
Police said Sievers landed next to the curb along the eastbound berm of SR 504. Sabol landed near the middle of the eastbound lane and in close proximity to Sievers. Reifer landed in a lawn along the roadway.
Police said both Sievers and Reifer left the scene after residents arrived. They said none of the ATV’s occupants were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
Police indicated that Sievers sustained wounds/abrasions to the head and arms. They said Reifer had scrapes and abrasions to his extremities.