Young Passenger Dies After ATV Hits Trees in Buena

A child riding as a passenger on an ATV Saturday evening in Buena was killed when the driver lost control and ran into some trees.

Driver Hurt, Passenger Killed in ATV Crash

New Jersey State Police say a child was a passenger on a Polaris 250 ATV that was traveling on the grass shoulder of Railroad Boulevard in Buena Vista Township when the driver lost control and struck trees.

The driver was brought to an area hospital suffering from moderate injuries shortly after 6 pm on Saturday, June 13th.

NJ State Police did nid not release further details about the crash or the age of the child who died.

The ATV is Not Intended for Two People

A search of the ATV involved in the crash shows that the vehicle is not intended for a passenger to ride.

Polaris never manufactured a 250cc ATV intended for two people.

Classic Polaris 250cc models (like the Trail Blazer and Trail Boss) were strictly designed as single-rider (one-up) vehicles.

Carrying a passenger on these smaller machines is unsafe and illegal on most public trails, as the chassis and suspension aren't built to support the extra weight and shifting center of gravity.

The models of Polaris ATV that will safely accommodate two riders are designed specifically with a longer wheelbase to ensure the passenger sits in front of the rear axle, improving the center of gravity and safety.