Two hurt in separate ATV collisions
(Editor’s note: This story is the corrected version of a story that was printed on the front page of the Sept. 15 Ranger-Review.)
By Anthony Varriano
Ranger-Review Staff Writer
Correction: Austin Meek, 10, was injured in an ATV accident four miles north of Glendive driving a Polaris Ranger side-by-side ATV on Saturday at about 6:30 p.m. The collision occurred on the Meek’s ranch, Austin’s stepmother Stephanie Meek said.
“It’s an unfortunate thing to occur, but it’s not uncommon for ranch kids to be driving those types of vehicles at a younger age,” she said.
Meek was treated at Glendive Medical Center before being airlifted to Billings and then to Salt Lake City, according to posthope.org/austinmeek, a website providing updates on Meek’s status and raising donations to cover his medical expenses.
GMC discovered Meek had a broken pelvis and flew him to Billings, but his blood pressure was not stable, indicating internal injuries. In Salt Lake City, exploratory surgery found Meek had severed small and large intestines. He was placed in a medically induced coma on Saturday night to allow swelling to go down.
Monday, Meeks’ blood pressure was stable, and he’s awaiting an MRI and CT scan, but his aunt, Sheyenne Roesler Doyle, said they don’t know when that will happen.
“They are worried that the hardware that they put into his pelvis will ruin his MRI scan,” she explained. “So we’re waiting.”
Doyle reported that Meek is coming out of his coma slowly, is staying awake for moments, and can squeeze his hands.
A benefit for Meek will be held Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Eastern Plains Events Center. Look for more information in an upcoming issue of the Ranger-Review.
A second ATV occurred Saturday evening. The individual injured during a police pursuit in Glendive’s South Side on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. remains unknown.
Glendive Police Department Captain Jake Feist said Officer James Ellis was attempting to initiate a traffic stop of an ATV that passed a vehicle at the intersection of South Sargent Avenue and East Barry Street without stopping at the stop sign. A short pursuit ensued that ended when the ATV collided with individual at the corner of South Anderson Avenue and East Raymond Street.
David Rodas, who was identified as the driver of the ATV, was arrested and charged with felony criminal endangerment, felony fleeing or eluding, and operating a vehicle while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor.
“There may be more charges pending,” Feist said.
Rodas recently appeared before Dawson County Seventh Judicial District Court Judge Richard Simonton for an arraignment. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Reach Anthony Varriano at rrsports@rangerreview.com.