Paynesville man dead after ATV crash

SPRING HILL -- Wilfred Anthony Marthaler, 63, of Paynesville, died Wednesday at St. Cloud Hospital of injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle crash along 320th Avenue in Spring Hill Township.

According to a news release from Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner, Marthaler was driving his 2008 Yamaha ATV northbound on 320th Avenue when a dog ran out into the road from a farmyard. The ATV struck and killed the dog and then ran off the road into a grove of trees. Marthaler was found lying nearby. The incident was reported around 3:30 p.m.

He was aided by members of the Lake Henrey Rescue Squad and Paynesville Ambulance before being transported to St. Cloud Hospital by air ambulance. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.