Tribal youth killed in all-terrain vehicle accident
Mashantucket — A 10-year-old member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe was killed Thursday while riding an all-terrain vehicle on the tribe’s reservation, tribal police said Monday.
Jak Allin died of asphyxiation due to compression of the torso, according to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which performed an autopsy. The office determined the death was an accident.
“There were no suspicious circumstances,” William Dittman, the tribal police chief, said. “We’re not sure what happened. We don’t know if the vehicle was defective or if he lost control (of the vehicle).”
Dittman said the youth was riding by himself when the accident occurred between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday in an area west of Route 214 and north of Shewville Road. He described the vehicle as an ATV “quad,” or four-wheeler.
The youth was taken to The William W. Backus Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Dittman said. Tribal police are continuing to investigate, he said.
Tribal members were informed of Allin's death in a notice that identified him as the son of Stacy Frankovitch and Daniel Allin. The notice indicated that counseling services were being provided through Tribal Health Services.
A tribal member who asked to remain anonymous said the tribe has been in mourning since the accident occurred.
"He was so loved, a very happy kid," the tribal member said.
Rodney Butler, the tribal chairman, referenced the tragedy while speaking Friday at a dinner at which he received the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s Citizen of the Year award.
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