Photo Provided Powerline Park, located outside St. Clairsville, hosts a number of events for off-road enthusiasts each year. The park tightened up its rules, though, following a fatal accident there in 2016.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The tragic death of Pennsylvania firefighter Mark Magazine in an accident at Powerline Park on Memorial Day 2016 spurred some changes that aim to counter irresponsible and dangerous behavior at the site.

Michael Derosa, co-owner of Powerline Park, said more stringent security is now in place at the large, outdoor facility for off-road vehicles. The goal is to provide a safer and more enjoyable venue for off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, he said.

“We have increased the number of sheriff’s deputies. That’s one of the main things,” Derosa said, adding that other safety precautions were in effect prior to the crash that claimed Magazine’s life. “Before that accident occurred, we had increased our EMS presence to essentially a paid force. That actually happened a year earlier.”

The addition of extra security is particularly valuable during the two major annual events, DeRosa said.

“In the spring for Memorial Day we have up to 12 (officers), which was double what we’ve previously done,” he noted. “For the Labor Day event, which is typically half the size of the Memorial Day event, we will have six or so. For this event, we’re going to have eight deputies.”

Derosa said these holiday periods are usually popular times for people to visit the park. This year’s Labor Day ride will be held this coming Friday through Sunday, Sept. 1-3.

“Powerline has always had two holiday events, Memorial Day and Labor Day, because it’s a three-day weekend and we’ve always done that because it gives people the maximum amount of time to ride and enjoy the trails,” he said, pointing out though, that by Labor Day the rough trails and heavy activity have taken a toll on many of the recreational machines.

“On a Labor Day there’s been as few as 500 and as many as 2,500. I don’t know what we’ll have for this Labor Day. It really depends on weather. This rainy summer that we’ve had has not been very good. It’s made it really hard for us to get the trails back in order, although they are in decent shape now and actually people really love the mud. It all depends on if there’s a rain storm. A Friday rain storm pretty much kills us. That’s when people are checking in. If it’s raining, they don’t want to come.”

In addition, Derosa described some new and expanded restrictions put in place in response to public concerns.

“We no longer allow anyone under 18 years old without a parent or guardian present,” he said, adding that all the individuals involved in the deadly 2016 accident were adults. “That wouldn’t have affected anything there.”

Derosa said identification is scrupulously checked.

“If you’re under 21 you get an underage band,” he said.

Derosa said the park has seen a lack of customers in the wake of the accident.

“Our numbers have certainly dropped. The number of people that come to the events is down probably 50 percent, which is fine. We don’t mind that at all. It makes it a whole lot safer,” he said.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato sentenced Shawn Lincoln Cape and Tonya Ann Morehead earlier this month for causing the death of Magazine, who was 45 and a resident of Republic, Pa., at the time of his death. Magazine apparently was well liked and served his community as a firefighter.

Cape, 53, of Hiller, Pa., was sentenced to four years in prison — three years for aggravated vehicular homicide and one year for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle. Fregiato imposed the sentences consecutively for a total of four years. Cape’s driver’s license was suspended for five years.

Morehead, 39, of Mount Morris, Pa., was sentenced to five years in prison for aggravated vehicular homicide. Her driver’s license was suspended for life.

During Memorial Day weekend 2016, Magazine was struck by an ATV operated by Morehead with Cape as a passenger in the vehicle. Magazine was pronounced dead at the scene. Cape had a handgun in his possession at the time, and alcohol use was cited as a factor.

Sheriff Dave Lucas said the park began taking steps to prevent other, similar tragedies immediately after Magazine’s death. He said he is pleased with the changes made at the park and believes the venue is now a safer place for guests.

DeRosa added that other new and innovative means of surveillance have been added to the park, along with more stringent entry policies. Guests are checked for weapons and objects such as glass bottles at the gate.

He credited the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department with several ideas for improving safety.

He also spoke about the difficulty of enforcing rules due to the park’s size. With this in mind, a warning system has been implemented.

“The officers, if they catch someone doing something (against the rules), they cut their band off and they put a warning band on them, and if they’re caught doing anything else they’re escorted out,” DeRosa said. “We also went to a zero-tolerance for things like alcohol abuse. They’ll escort them out.”

He said law enforcement itself will not escalate any dangerous activity by launching a pursuit.

“We don’t run people down. We don’t want them to get into any kind of

chasing situation, because that’s too dangerous for everyone.”

Derosa said there also had been a few major accidents prior to the 2016 accident, with comparatively few incidents requiring emergency responders.

“Four, five years ago we had, I think on a Saturday, we had over 20 e-calls,” he said regarding the need for emergency services. “The last event we had either two or three maybe. Some people do take themselves if they wreck their bike and get scratched up. Having our e-squad there has really helped.”

He added that the most recent event saw a couple injuries involving broken bones. He stressed that not every eventuality can be planned for.

“You can’t stop people from being stupid. … I don’t know how else to say it,” he said. “We’re always reminding people to police themselves, police their neighbors. As always, we follow the laws of the state of Ohio. We recommend helmets. We recommend not drinking and driving. … Just enjoying the weekend without overindulging is what we recommend.”

Tito Gasbarre, a representative of S&S Motorsports LLC in Martins Ferry, commented on best practices for using all-terrain or other recreational vehicles.

“Your basic maintenance goes far,” he said. “You just always want to check your bikes before riding. Check all your fluids, all your bolts and nuts and whatnot.”

He emphasized the importance of keeping a machine in good condition. Another important reminder is to not to drive while impaired.

“People never listen to that,” he said, adding that irresponsible operation is a frequent cause of accidents. “Everybody that’s riding needs to wear a helmet. Safety first is how I see it.”

Powerline Park’s season of events begins in the spring and concludes in October with the Grand National Cross Country Nationals. The park is located about 4 miles west of the Ohio Valley Mall off Hammond Road at 69560 Lee Road, St. Clairsville.