Bio: Jicinsky, Aaron Taylor (5 Jan. 2007)
Contact:  Shari Hahn
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net

Surnames: Jicinsky, Hudak

----Sources: Marshfield News-Herald, January 5, 2007

Colby teen killed in ATV crash

By Adam Rodewald Marshfield News-Herald

A 13-year-old boy from Colby died as a result of an all terrain vehicle crash Wednesday.

Aaron Jicinsky was found lying in a field near the intersection of Highway 13 and Colby Factory Road in the town of Colby at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Department. Initial investigation indicates Jicinsky was operating an ATV on private property when he struck a drainage ditch and overturned.

Jicinsky was flown by Spirit of Marshfield air medical transport to Saint Joseph's Hospital, where he later died.

The Colby Fire and Ambulance Service also responded to the scene.

"Aaron was a student who was easy to like. I enjoyed his sense of humor," said Scott Hudak, principal of Saint Mary Catholic School, where Jicinsky was a seventh grade student.

"He was an outgoing kid. He was always ready with a greeting in the morning," said Hudak.

Jicinsky's class had only 14 students, most of whom have attended school together all their lives, Hudak said. They make up "a little family, almost, which makes it difficult when something like this happens."

A counselor from Colby Public Schools came to Saint Mary school for support, and a Mass was held in Jicinsky's name, said Hudak.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," he said. "In a small community like Colby, everyone knows everyone. It's a big impact on the community."

The sheriff's department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are continuing an investigation into the accident.

Wisconsin had nine ATV fatalities as of Dec. 20, 2006, and 22 total fatalities in 2005, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows 467 ATV-related deaths and 136,700 injuries nationwide in 2005.

Adam Rodewald can be reached at 384-3131 ext. 328 or at arodewal@marshfieldnewsherald.com.