A 29-year-old man was killed Tuesday in an all-terrain vehicle crash in the Somerset County town of New Portland.

The victim, Raymond Gerrish of Kingfield, took the 2009 Honda 550 without the owner’s permission, according to Dale Lancaster, chief deputy of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.

Gerrish, who was riding alone at the time of the crash, was not wearing a helmet, Lancaster said.

He said it appeared the accident happened early Tuesday morning. A motorist driving to work on Middle Road reported the crash just before 6 a.m.

Lancaster said Gerrish was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the four-wheeler and struck a tree. He suffered head and shoulder injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene

Gerrish was staying on King’s Ridge Road in Kingfield and the ATV was taken from a neighbor’s residence, about 10 miles from the accident scene, Lancaster said. The vehicle was registered, but Lancaster would not say to whom. The ATV was destroyed.

Lancaster said Gerrish was a licensed driver.

New Portland Fire Department and North Star Rescue aided at the scene.

Lancaster said the investigation into the accident will include standard testing for the presence of alcohol.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Doug Harlow can be contacted at 612-2367 or at:

dharlow@centralmaine.com