Lake County ATV rollover kills Michigan man, injures 4 children

An 18-year-old Michigan resident was killed and four children were injured last week in an ATV rollover crash in Lake County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

On Thursday night, the 18-year-old man was driving a Polaris RZR with the other four passengers in tow on a private property on Schwartz Lane in Lower Lake when the vehicle flipped onto its left side, according to a CHP-Clear Lake news release.

The front right passenger on the ATV was ejected from the Polaris and hit a cattle fence, officials added.

CHP and the Lake County Fire District responded to the crash shortly before 9:30 p.m.

The driver was pronounced dead at the site. He will be identified by the Lake County Coroner after his family is notified.

The front right passenger and a rear passenger suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. The other two passengers were airlifted to a Sacramento hospital for major injuries.

No word Sunday on the status of the wounded.

No one was wearing helmets or seat belts, CHP said.

CHP-Clear Lake personnel are investigating the crash, including the speed the ATV was traveling when it overturned. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors.

You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.