Man dies striking fine wire surrounding marijuana plants

BERNE, N.Y., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- A Berne, N.Y., man died after apparently driving into a fine wire protecting marijuana plants growing on his property, police said.

Daniel Ricketts, 50, was nearly decapitated early Saturday morning when he drove his all-terrain vehicle under a nearly invisible wire, similar to those used in pianos, surrounding four large marijuana plants, Albany County, N.Y., Sheriff Craig Apple said.

The wire was among several protections, including barbed wire and a leg trap, around the plants, the (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union reported.

Apple noted alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.