EAST JORDAN -- Investigators hope to determine how a 2-year-old toddler clamored aboard an ATV, started the ignition, drove himself over a five-foot embankment and suffered serious injuries.
Officials also will decide if it's a criminal neglect case.
Sutton Andrew Majeske of Port Huron was operating a child-sized Suzuki four-wheeler on Sunday morning at a residence on Behling Road in Charlevoix County's Wilson Township when he went over a cellar embankment, lost control and crashed. The child sustained a severely broken jaw and cuts to his face, authorities said.
Sutton was rushed to Charlevoix Area Hospital and later air-lifted in critical condition to Hurley Medical Center in Flint. He improved to fair condition by Tuesday, hospital officials said.
The accident apparently happened without parental supervision or knowledge, officials said.
"The father was in the garage. The mother was in the house," said Charlevoix County Undersheriff Don Schneider. "The victim had been riding earlier with an older brother, about 11 or 12 years old. The father didn't even hear him start the machine up."
The ATV is designed for a child between 6 and 12 years. The toddler started it, drove across the yard and over an embankment, Schneider said.
Majeske was wearing a helmet while driving the machine, which is owned by his father, John Majeske, of Port Huron. The mother's name was not immediately available, Schneider said.
"It's questionable whether we've got a criminal or neglect case, with the father and mother unaware of him being on the machine," he said.
The case will be reviewed by the Charlevoix County Prosecutor's Office for a decision on any criminal charges.
"We don't see too many cases with a child this young operating any type of equipment," said Shaynee Fanara, chief assistant prosecutor.
Officials will review what knowledge the parents had of the child's use of the ATV and what the supervision level of the toddler was at the time, she said.
The incident remains under investigation.
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