Mar 16, 2015 2 min read

Two Bulger teenagers were injured when the all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike they were operating crashed Sunday night on the Panhandle Trail in Smith Township.

Nicholas Miller, 19, and Andrew Cook, 18, were riding on the trail between Bulger and Midway when their respective vehicles collided, said Smith police Chief Bernie LaRue. Both were taken to Allegheny General Hospital following the 7:30 p.m. wreck. LaRue said Miller, who was on the ATV, was released after he was treated for bumps and contusions. Cook, who was riding the dirt bike, had surgery Monday on his broken leg, the chief added.

LaRue said the investigating officer is still piecing together what happened in the crash on the trail. She was planning to conduct additional interviews.

Motorized vehicles riding on the trail meant for walkers, joggers and bicyclists is a problem, LaRue said.

“They often ride their vehicles on the trail to get to dirt trails,” LaRue said. “The trail runs from the West Virginia state line to McDonald. The problem is all along it. As soon as the weather gets nice, we start getting complaints.”

Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano said the sheriff’s department has a four-wheel vehicle they use to patrol the trail.

“There is no way to block off the trail so these vehicles don’t have access to it,” Romano said. “Usually, this problem doesn’t start until April.”

The county passed an ordinance banning off-road vehicles on the trail. If convicted of the summary offense, a violator faces a fine of as much as $600 for each violation or 10 days in Washington County jail.

LaRue said the township supervisors recently passed an ordinance requiring anyone riding a dirt bike or ATV in the township to register it with the township. The registration includes a photograph of the vehicle. The rider is then given a sticker that must be displayed on the vehicle.

Both Miller and Cook face citations for violating the ordinance. Charges will be filed at the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.