CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off road vehicle crash involving injury. They say it happened around 5:25 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Conservation Officers and other first responders were dispatched to the 5000 block S 500 W in Carroll County for an ORV that struck a utility pole.

73-year-old Charles Beard of Rossville was driving a Polaris Ranger on the roadway and attempted to pass another vehicle. As he passed the vehicle, the tires of the Ranger left the roadway. Beard was unable to gain control of the machine and struck a utility pole.

He was then thrown from the machine and rendered unconscious in the roadway. First responders said he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and sustained several head injuries.

Beard was taken to Franciscan Health in Lafayette for further medical treatment. Alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor in the incident.

Indiana Conservation Officers want to stress the importance of wearing a helmet and other safety gear when operating off road vehicles.