A 29-year-old man was killed in an all terrain vehicle crash early Tuesday in the Somerset County town of New Portland.

Raymond Gerrish, of Kingfield and formerly of Springvale, took the 2009 Honda Rubicon 550 without the owner’s permission, according to Dale Lancaster, chief deputy of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.

Gerrish, who was riding alone at the time of the crash, was not wearing a helmet, Lancaster said.

He said it appeared the accident happened early Tuesday morning. A motorist driving to work reported the crash just before 6 a.m. on Middle Road.

Lancaster said Gerrish was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the four-wheeler and struck a tree. He suffered head and shoulder injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lancaster said Gerrish was staying on King’s Ridge Road in Kingfield and the ATV was taken from a neighbor’s residence, about 10 miles from the accident scene. The vehicle was properly registered, but Lancaster would not say to whom. The ATV was destroyed.

Lancaster said Gerrish was not a licensed driver.

New Portland Fire Department and North Star Rescue aided at the scene.

Lancaster said the investigation into the accident will include standard testing for the presence of alcohol.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com