Published: September 09, 2009 10:26 pm      

State Police: Trooper never collided with ATV in fatality

State Police say a trooper who followed an ATV rider before the rider was killed in a wreck never collided with the ATV — and the ATV was also reported stolen.

Timothy J. Graley, 26, of Whitesville, was killed in the Sunday accident, said Sgt. Michael Baylous, public information officer for the West Virginia State Police.

Around 1 p.m. Sunday, Senior Trooper D.R. White of the Whitesville detachment attempted to stop an ATV rider on Route 1 in Raleigh County, near the Boone County line, Baylous said. Graley has been identified as the man on board the ATV.

White tried to stop the ATV, Baylous said, because Graley was driving recklessly and endangering his own life, as well as other motorists’. White immediately realized his Dodge Durango cruiser could not catch up to the sport-type ATV on rough terrain. He only continued in the ATV’s direction. White found the ATV stopped near the road’s side and activated his lights and siren. Graley fled onto a paved mining road.

Graley turned around and fled downhill at a high rate of speed, Baylous said. At some point, White lost sight of Graley, but he heard the ATV behind him. White eventually found the ATV — without its rider — at the bottom of a hill. He presumed Graley had fled on foot, but Graley was eventually found dead on a hillside.

Baylous said troopers believe Graley lost control of the ATV and was ejected.

There is no evidence indicating White’s cruiser and the ATV collided, Baylous said.

“We don’t want anyone to lose their life,” Baylous said. “But this was beyond our control.”

The ATV was also listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database as stolen, Baylous said.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com