Quad accident driver released from hospital

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The driver of the Forest Service truck that went out of control at the Mount Taylor Quadrathlon over the weekend has been identified.

A New Mexico State Police spokesman said Monday that Craig Trinkle, 53, of Grants was driving the truck that threatened racers and volunteers and damaged approximately 20 high-cost bicycles Saturday. Trinkle, a U.S. Forest Service employee, suffered an attack of an undisclosed nature that rendered him unable to control the vehicle and was taken to Cibola General Hospital. Hospital employees could make no comment concerning Trinkle’s condition or what caused the attack.

District Forest Service Ranger Chuck Hagerdon said Trinkle has been released from the hospital, but the service has no details. He added that the district, located on Lobo Canyon Road in Grants, is now putting together a report.

State Police Sgt. Hernandez said the number of bicycles damaged has not been confirmed but that an early count of 26 may have included undamaged bikes in the area of the accident. The sergeant said his initial damage estimate of approximately $3,000 per bicycle had to be revised upward when more information about the value of lightweight racing machines was obtained. The revised estimate placed the average value of Quad level competition bicycle at $4,500. If that is the case, the total damage to participants’ equipment from the incident could be more than $100,000.