JULY 14, 2015

MACHIAS, Maine — 


The man who drove an all-terrain vehicle that rolled over and killed a 4-year-old boy in 2013 was indicted on a manslaughter charge Tuesday by the Washington County grand jury.

Troy R. Dennison, 39, of East Machias also was indicted on charges of operating an ATV under the influence, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of an ATV and endangering the welfare of a child.

Dennison had been operating his two-seater 2007 Yamaha Rhino 660 UTV with his 8-year-old son and 8-year-old nephew when the crash occurred on Aug. 24, 2013, off Cutler Road in East Machias, according to BDN archives.

The nephew accidentally stepped on the accelerator, and the vehicle went over an embankment, rolling over 4-year-old Wesley Keeton who had been playing nearby, the Maine Warden Service reported at the time.

Bail conditions imposed on Dennison on Tuesday require he not use or possess alcohol or drugs, according to court documents.

No further information about the case was available late Tuesday afternoon, and a call to Washington County District Attorney Matt Foster was not immediately returned.

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Boy, 4, struck and killed by utility ATV in East Machias

 Last modified Aug. 26, 2013, at 4:11 p.m

EAST MACHIAS, Maine — 

A 4-year-old boy was struck and killed by a side-by-side utility ATV on Saturday morning in an accident off Cutler Road, according to a press release from the Maine Warden Service. 

Warden service spokesman Cpl. John MacDonald reported that Troy Denison, 37, of Cutler Road was operating his two-seater 2007 Yamaha Rhino 660 UTV with his 8-year-old son at around 10 a.m. As they were driving around their home, an 8-year-old nephew who lived next door ran to Denison and asked for a ride. The nephew got in and they began riding around the Denison home once again.

While riding, the nephew accidentally stepped on the accelerator of the UTV. The machine accelerated and encountered an embankment, causing the vehicle to roll over. All three passengers in the UTV walked away, although Troy Denison suffered lacerations to his head. When they assessed the scene, they quickly realized they had rolled over 4-year-old Wesley Keeton, a younger brother of Denison’s nephew. Wesley had been playing nearby and was in the path of the UTV. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Game warden Sgt. Dave Craven, who helped investigate the scene, said, “This was a tragic incident brought about by very unfortunate circumstances. Our deepest sympathy goes out to both families involved.” 

A team of several game wardens, Downeast EMS, Machias EMS, East Machias Fire and Cutler Navy Fire Department assisted at the accident scene. Both the medical examiner’s office and Washington County district attorney’s office have been notified. The incident remains under investigation.