Addison man dies in ATV accident
By John Zick
jzick@the-leader.comTUSCARORA | Excessive speed likely caused a fatal all-terrain vehicle accident Wednesday on county Route 86, authorities said Thursday.
Richard Bottum, 22, of Bottum Hill Road, Addison, was killed around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when the ATV he was driving struck a tree. After the accident, Bottum was taken to Corning Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to authorities, Bottum was traveling down county Route 86 at an excessive speed and lost control of the vehicle near the road's shoulder. The ATV struck a tree.
“From what (a trooper on the scene) told me, he sideswiped a tree,” state police Inv. Allison Regan said. “You're usually going to lose those battles.”
Regan said Bottum was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The helmet was not damaged, meaning Bottum likely suffered massive internal injuries.
“(The helmet) wasn't dented or anything,” Regan said.
The exact cause of death will not be determined until autopsy results are available. Bottum's body was taken to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office.
In addition to state police, the Addison and Tuscarora fire departments, Rural-Metro Ambulance and Mercy Flight Medevac assisted at the scene.
