Man Fatally Crushed In Side-By-Side ATV Accident

Dearborn County first responders were called to Ellinghausen Road near Manchester Thursday evening.

(Manchester, Ind.) – An off-road vehicle crash claimed the life of an Aurora man Thursday.

Dearborn County Sheriff Shane McHenry says deputies, Manchester Fire and EMS and Aurora EMS were called out to the 18400 block of Ellinghausen Road at around 8:40 p.m. The call was in reference to an unconscious male trapped under a Polaris RZR side-by-side.

EMS arrived first and began treating the victim, William W. Yelton, 21, of Aurora.

UC Air Care was asked to respond to the scene, but Yelton was not transported as he was pronounced deceased by the Dearborn County Coroner.

According to deputies, the initial investigation determined that Yelton was travelling north on Ellinghausen Road toward State Route 48 when the RZR he was driving ran off of the right side of the road and overturned.  Yelton was ejected from the vehicle, which came to a rest on top of him. 

Indiana Conservation Officers said a helmet, protective riding equipment or the ORV’s safety belt was not being utilized at the time of the crash.

"Indiana Conservation Officers strongly encourage riders to wear seatbelts when applicable, helmets and necessary safety equipment.  ATVs are susceptible to rolling over in various terrain types, regardless of speed and other factors," said ICO Joshua Thomas.