Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Four-wheeler accident claims life

A 35-year-old Willisville man was killed over the Memorial Day weekend while riding a four-wheeler.

Tracy McKinney was found shortly after midnight and, according to authorities, died later that day.

Nevada County Sheriffs Deputy Gary Hicks said McKinney was with friends who were riding four-wheelers during the afternoon of Saturday, May 26.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton, McKinney was an inexperienced rider and had only operated a four-wheeler a couple of times in the past. Someone allowed McKinney the opportunity to ride his four-wheeler, started it for McKinney and left the area.

Hicks said McKinney started a ride with several other four-wheelers, but then turned back after about a mile and a half. According to Hicks, McKinneys companions saw him turn around and they didnt think anything else about it.

It wasnt until several hours later that McKinneys phone rang, Carlton said. It was then that the others realized the McKinney had forgotten his phone and that he apparently hadnt returned.

Carlton said McKinney had been missing since about 4 p.m. Saturday but officers werent called until about 10 p.m. Others who had participated in the ride were called back to help retrace their steps and someone discovered McKinney shortly after midnight.

Hicks said it appeared that McKinney had driven down a steep ditch and struck a tree. He said theres no indication of foul play, and that a combination of a powerful vehicle and inexperienced rider are likely to blame for the accident.

According to Carlton, paramedics who responded to the scene determined that McKinneys condition was too unstable for a flight to Texarkana and he was transported by ambulance to Hempstead County. He died later that morning, Carlton said.