Laytonville man dies in ATV crash

A 51-year-old man died Friday evening on a private road in Laytonville when the all-terrain vehicle he was driving flipped and rolled on top of him, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Jeffrey Alan Polson, of Laytonville, died at about 5:45 p.m. after attempting to steer the ATV up a steep, rocky embankment with two passengers riding behind him, according to Sgt. Timothy Willock of CHP Garberville.

Unhurt in the crash were Polson’s son, Jeremiah Polson, 26, and friend Joseph Bertolucci, 30, who were both able to jump from the vehicle as it overturned.

The two passengers called 911 while attempting emergency care, and the Laytonville Volunteer Fire Department responded to help, but the elder Polson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident east of Spyrock Road. Cal Fire and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office assisted on the call.

CHP is investigating the cause of the crash.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin Fixler at kevin.fixler@pressdemocrat.com.