Speed, recklessness and alcohol are believed to be the contributing factors in a Guthrie County ATV accident Saturday that caused suspected serious injuries to the driver. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports they were notified of an accident occurring at approximately 8:50 p.m. southwest of Guthrie Center. Forty-eight-year-old Jeffery Allen Barth of Marion was northbound on Lost Trail near 260th Street when he lost control of the Polaris ATV he was driving on a curve in the gravel road. The ATV entered the east ditch at a high rate of speed and was launched into the air and overturned, ejecting Barth. Barth was transported to the Guthrie County Hospital by Panora Emergency Medical Services for treatment of suspected severe internal injuries due to blunt force trauma. Barth told authorities he had been consuming alcohol and he was also driving the ATV on a license that had been revoked for a prior operating while intoxicated charge. He also did not have insurance for the vehicle, nor was an ignition interlock device installed on the ATV as was required. Barth has been charged with failure to maintain a reasonable and proper speed, careless driving and violation of conditions of a restricted license. Criminal charges may follow.
