A tragic incident occurred over the weekend in Grand Traverse County, where an Illinois man lost his life in a snowmobile crash involving a powerline structure.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, shortly before 2 p.m., an incident occurred off a designated snowmobile path near the Rasho Road Trailhead in East Bay Township. A two-person snowmobile from Polaris for the year 2024 crashed into an iron powerline structure, according to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered two individuals with injuries. An Illinois man, aged 32, who was riding as a passenger on a snowmobile suffered critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, according to deputies. A 30-year-old woman from Illinois, who was operating the snowmobile, was transported to a hospital for medical care.
Authorities report that both individuals on the bikes had their helmets on. Authorities suspect that excessive speed and a lack of experience with snowmobiles played a role in the accident.
The incident is still being looked into.
