PARIS – A 9-year-old ATV rider was in critical condition at Maine Medical Center in Portland late Thursday night after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Elm Hill Road.

Police said Albert Roberti was riding a child-sized ATV down a driveway at 570 Elm Hill Road and was attempting to cross the road when he was hit by a 2006 Chevy Silverado truck driven by Raymond Walker, 63, of 702 Elm Hill Road about 6 p.m.

He suffered a serious injury to his left leg and was transported from Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway and then to MMC by helicopter, Sgt. Michael Dailey of the Paris Police Department said Thursday night. He was in critical condition at 10:20 p.m., the officer said.

“According to the driver (of the truck, the ATV) just came out of the driveway, and based on what we see that appears to be what happened,” Dailey said.

It did not appear either alcohol or speed were factors in the accident, Dailey said.

Roberti was wearing a helmet but it was too large, was fastened improperly and came off during the accident, Dailey said.

Dailey said it was unclear whether any charges would be filed, but state law does prohibit children under the age of 10 from riding an ATV alone. Children age 10 to 16 must also complete a riders’ safety course before riding alone.

The law also prohibits children under the age of 16 from driving on or across a public way alone, and all ATV riders under the age of 18 must be wearing helmets, according to the law. Those violating the law for the first time face fines of up to $500.

Dailey said Paris police would probably ask the Maine Warden Service for guidance, even though the service is not responsible for ATV accidents that occur on public roads.

“Once we get the investigation complete, with something this serious, we will send it to the (District Attorney’s) office for review,” Dailey said.

Regional Editor Scott Thistle contributed to this report.