INTOXICATED ATV DRIVERS COLLIDE

AN ATV DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER A BUDDY PLOWED INTO HIM AS HE WAS STOPPED IN PUNTA GORDA FRIDAY NIGHT.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 41 YEAR OLD SCOTT BIRCHFIELD OF PUNTA GORDA WAS STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY ON THE WEST SHOULDER OF US 17 AT PINE VILLA CIRCLE JUST AFTER 10:30PM WHEN HIS ATV WAS HIT BY ANOTHER FROM BEHIND THAT WAS DRIVEN BY 44 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER CALLAHAN, ALSO OF PUNTA GORDA.  THE IMPACT CAUSED CALLAHAN TO DRIVE ON TOP OF BIRCHFIELD AND BIRCHFIELD WAS EJECTED ONTO THE ROADWAY.  HE WAS TAKEN TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S TRAUMA UNIT IN SERIOUS CONDITION.  CALLAHAN WAS NOT INJURED.  TROOPERS SAY NEITHER DRIVER WAS WEARING A HELMET AND BOTH WERE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.  CALLAHAN WAS CITED FOR CARELESS DRIVING AND WAS CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.  THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.