Keene dad plans to plead guilty in ATV death of son

KEENE, N.H. --A city man plans to plead guilty to recklessly allowing his 6-year-old son to ride an ATV across a busy road, where he was struck by two cars, according to court documents. The boy died later of his injuries.

Jarrad Morgan, 29, was indicted in January on a charge of reckless conduct involving a child under 13.

The charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in state prison, but under a plea agreement, prosecutors have agreed not to recommend more than three years.

Chandler Morgan was crossing Route 12 the night of Oct. 6, 2005, when he was hit by two cars. His father was riding another ATV.

Jarrad Morgan was accused of letting his son ride at night without headlights, and encouraging him to cross Route 12.

State law prohibits children younger than 12 from driving ATVs across roads. The indictment also says the person who sold Morgan the ATV told him it was inappropriate for anyone younger than 12 to ride it.

Fish and Game Lt. John Whitmore said no ATVs are allowed to cross Route 12, regardless of the driver's age.

Morgan was given a warning six months earlier by Fish and Game officers about not riding an ATV in that area of Route 12. There are no ATV trails in the area where the crash occured, Whitmore said.

Morgan is scheduled for a plea hearing in Cheshire County Superior Court on Thursday. He has said in a court filing he intends to plead guilty, but he could change his mind and go to trial, or the judge could reject the plea agreement.

Morgan is represented by former Attorney General Peter Heed. Both Heed and County Attorney William Albrecht declined to comment.

------

Information from: The Keene Sentinel, http://www.keenesentinel.com