Merrimack Man Seriously Injured In ATV Crash After Throttle Stuck Open

MERRIMACK, NH — A Merrimack man was injured in an ATV crash on private property in Merrimack on Wednesday.

Conservation officers from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department responded to a report of an ATV crash on private property in the town of Merrimack. While responding at about 5:45 p.m., the conservation officer learned that the injured man, later identified as Kenneth Eaton, 48, of Merrimack, was being transported by Merrimack Fire Rescue to Elliot Hospital in Manchester for further evaluation and treatment of his injuries sustained in the crash.

Conservation officers later determined Eaton was test-driving an ATV on private property when the machine's throttle got stuck wide open, forcing Eaton to jump off the machine before it crashed.

It was determined Eaton had severe but non-life threatening injuries, according to conservation officers, who said Mechanical failure and unsafe speed appear to be the main contributing factors in the crash. Eaton was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

Eaton was subsequently issued a summons for operating an OHRV with a suspended driver’s license; according to officers they were assisted on the scene by the Merrimack Police Department and Merrimack Fire Rescue.

The incident remains under investigation by NH Conservation Officers.