Sheldon Cheeks, 08-10-04

UNALAKLEET AND KASILOF

Two unhelmeted people are killed in separate four-wheeler accidents

Two people are dead after separate, unrelated ATV accidents in Unalakleet and Kasilof.
On Saturday, Gabriel Towarak, 20, of Unalakleet, went to a party where he was drinking heavily, witnesses told Alaska State Troopers.

Later that night, driving his ATV at a high speed, he hit an elevated sidewalk embankment, troopers said. He was ejected from the four-wheeler, but the ATV overturned and the rear cargo rack struck Towarak in the head.

Towarak was not wearing a helmet, troopers said. When emergency services arrived several hours later, he was pronounced dead.

In another accident Tuesday, Sheldon Cheeks, 45, of Nikiski, suffered severe head injuries when the Honda four-wheeler he was riding in Kasilof rolled over.

He also was not wearing a helmet and had consumed alcohol, troopers said. Cheeks was taken to Central Peninsula General Hospital, where he died.