ATV operator lacking helmet faces charges

Written by Brian Willis

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

An ATV operator stopped late Monday afternoon for not wearing a helmet faces several more serious charges, Chautauqua County sheriff’s officials report.

Deputies were on Bates Road in the Town of Charlotte at about 5:40 p. m. Monday when they saw three men riding on an ATV without helmets. The deputies stopped them and noticed a rifle within the operator’s reach.

The operator identified himself as Thomas L. Vanhouten, but deputies later said they learned his name is Donald L. Vanhouten, who was wanted on a bench warrant for growing marijuana in the Town of Gerry. Deputies also said they determined that he was intoxicated.

They charged him with felony DWI, because of previous drunk-driving convictions; felony possession of a firearm, because of prior felony convictions; obstructing governmental administration; and 10 traffic charges.

Source: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/police-courts/police-blotter/article218676.ece

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Community Voices

“During the past decade, I have personally had six out of seven elk hunts ruined by the careless intrusions of ATV operators. This epidemic has forced me to abandon one prime hunting area after another, only to encounter the same situation elsewhere. The shameful part of this picture is that the overwhelming majority of these ATV’ers are young and healthy, not decrepit or physically challenged. Maybe these riders would be more respectful of other people's outdoor experience if they knew we could ID them."

- Bill Sustrich, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers