The crash happened on Sunday evening just south of Lisbon on Steubenville Pike Road.

Columbiana County sheriff’s Deputies told NEWS9 that Charles Hoyle, 34, of Boardman was hanging out with friends when he made the decision that ended his life.

Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said Hoyle was with two friends behind a home on Steubenville Pike when he asked one of his friends if he could ride his ATV.

But Haueter said Hoyle didn’t have a license to drive, and that he was considered legally blind.

Haueter told NEWS9 the men helped Hoyle onto the ATV anyways and warned him to go slow, but Hoyle didn't listen.

“When the men put Mr. Hoyle on there, he took off, full acceleration,” said Haueter. “And they were screaming at him to hold back and stop, and they couldn't catch up to him. Then he struck a smaller tree and he hit a larger one head-on.”

Deputies said Hoyle was thrown from the ATV, and died of a head injury on scene.

Haueter also said Hoyle's friends admitted they all had been drinking prior to the accident.

“They advised they'd been drinking but they weren't at a point of no return,” said Haueter. "It shouldn't have happened. It's a tragic accident."

While Hoyle was considered legally blind, he did at one point have a driver’s license, but Haueter said that license expired in 2000.

Natalie Pasquarella, NEWS9

Copyright 2007 by wtov9.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Submitted on 09/19/2007

Submitted by: JB Hiller
Reference: http://www.wtov9.com/news/14146280/detail.html

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Adds some meaning to the old joke bumper sticker (often on trucks of window decorators) "Caution, Blind Man Driving!" While legally blind many times means that they can see somewhat, obviously in this case the sight was severely limited since it took his friends to put him on the ATV so that he could meet his destiny as yet another Darwin Award winner. Thanks for sending the story, JB

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I know a fellow who was legally blind due to diabetes but after getting a kidney transplant he now has good enough vision to drive a car during daylight hours. Even before the transplant he could easily read and get around on his own if there was enough light. This guy, on the other hand, apparently had such poor eyesight that he needed help to even sit on an ATV. Well he certainly had what was coming to him. Thanks, JB.

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