LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Santa Rosa man was seriously injured in a Saturday night ATV crash.

Damon Gronlund, 28, sustained major injuries in the crash, which occurred at around 9:45 p.m. at 12379 Bartlett Springs Road above Nice, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said Gronlund was riding a 1999 Polaris ATV northbound on Bartlett Springs Road at an unknown speed when, for reasons that still haven't been determined, he was ejected from the vehicle.

Gronlund was not wearing a helmet and sustained major head trauma, the CHP said.

A REACH air ambulance responded to the scene to transport Gronlund. Radio traffic indicated the helicopter – which didn't have a landing zone set up for it because firefighters on the ground hadn't yet arrived at the remote location – tried to land twice before finally getting on the ground safely.

The CHP said REACH took Gronlund to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash, according to the CHP report.

The crash remains under investigation by Officer Ryan Erickson.

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