Two hurt in Huntington dirt bike crash, one charged with OUI

HUNTINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A man and a woman are recovering in the hospital after crashing their dirt bike in Huntington, and now one of them is facing drunk driving charges.

Trooper Eric Meschke of the state police barracks in Russell told 22News that just after midnight on Thursday, a man and a woman who were both riding on the same dirt bike, crashed over an embankment and landed in a ravine down by the bank of the Westfield River.

The accident happened near the intersection of Route 112 and County Road.

The fire department helped to rescue the two, who were taken to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance. They are both expected to recover, though the man, identified as 21 year-old Dakota Cornelius of Huntington, had serious leg injuries. The other victim has been identified as 22 year-old Stefanie Maxwell, also of Huntington.

According to a State Police news release sent to 22News, their investigation revealed that Cornelius had been drinking, and was driving the dirt bike without its headlights on.

Cornelius now faces five charges, including operating under the influence of liquor causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.