ATV rider who allegedly fled accident scene leaving injured son behind formally charged by Lewis Sheriff’s Office

LOWVILLE- The ATV rider who left his injured son behind in the wake of an accident late last month in the Southern Tug Hill region has been formally arrested and charged by local authorities.

Zachary T. Zerniak, 39, of Rensselaer, NY has been arrested and charged by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and endangering the welfare of a child; along with additional tickets for reckless driving and speeds not reasonable or prudent.

As previously reported, deputies said that Zerniak was driving an ATV on the Plumber Road in the town of West Turin on April 26.

His 11-year-old son was aboard when the ATV struck a large hole in the trail, causing it to roll-over several times while throwing them to the ground.

In their latest reports, police made clear the ATV traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. The boy reportedly suffered a cut above one of his eyes and other “minor” injuries.

Authorities said an unknown person called 9-1-1 to alert emergency responders, but it’s alleged that Zerniak fled the scene and left his injured son behind.

The boy was taken by ambulance to Lowville Hospital and the incident was subsequently reported to the state’s central register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.

As reported last month, authorities found Zerniak driving the ATV a few hours later near his Airbnb in the town of Harrisburg.

He was taken to SUNY Upstate Medical Center and in their latest updates, officials said Zerniak suffered from broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a spinal cord injury.

Zerniak is due to appear in West Turin Town Court at a later date.

LCSO image.