JOHNSTOWN, NY : An Amsterdam-area all-terrain vehicle driver was killed on Sunday, September 10, 2017

An Amsterdam-area all-terrain vehicle driver was killed when his ATV crashed into a couple trees in a wooded area of the Meco sandpit on Sunday, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department reported.

A report indicated Kenneth L. Simek, 52, of 1626 County Highway 107, Amsterdam, was fatally injured in the accident at 11:11 a.m. Sunday in the Meco sandpit, east of County Highway 122 in the town of Johnstown.Deputies said Simek was traveling south on his ATV when he crested the top of a sand pit, which caused it to go airborne. The ATV then struck the edge of an earth embankment, which resulted in it going airborne a second time and into a woods before striking two trees, deputies said.

Giardino said an autopsy will eventually determine whether use of alcohol or any other substance played a role in the accident, but he suspects not.

“He was with his kids so we don’t believe there was any alcohol involvement,” the sheriff said.

Simek suffered head injuries and was transported to Nathan Littauer Hospital.

Giardino said the victim was a well-known health professional in the Radiology Department at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam.

“It’s going to be not only a big loss for his family, but the patients and the people of St. Mary’s,” Giardino said.

The reported listed “unsafe speed” as an apparent contributing factor in the accident.

Giardino thanked the support of the Gloversville Police Department, Meco Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Service of Fulton County and the Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps at the scene.

Source :
ATV driver crashes, dies