Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Friday

January 2, 2009

State sees 4 snowmobile deaths in Dec.

BY Sheri McWhirter

GAYLORD -- Half of this season's snowmobile fatalities in Michigan occurred in the state's northern reaches.

Two of four fatal snowmobile wrecks to date happened in Otsego and Emmet counties within the first month since state trails opened on Dec. 1. That's up from 2007, when three people died in snowmobile wrecks in December that year, according to state records.

The first snowmobile death this season occurred early Dec. 14 on a trail along Old U.S. 27, just south of Gaylord. Eric Inman, 31, of Gaylord, died when his snowmobile struck a utility pole, Michigan State Police said.

Inman's wife and sled passenger, Stephanie Inman, 29, was hospitalized in critical condition. Police said excess speed and alcohol played a role in the crash.

"They go very fast and whether they are experienced or not, accidents can happen," said Trooper Jim Keller, of the MSP Gaylord post.

Two fatal snowmobile wrecks happened on Dec. 19, one in Hillsdale County and the other in Oakland County. They involved the deaths of men, 27 and 39, respectively.

The most recent snowmobile fatality occurred around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 on a trail near Gill Road in Carp Lake Township in Emmet County. Mark Foster, 48, of Risingsun, Ohio, died when he hit a tree that had been felled by high winds, officials said.

It is unknown whether alcohol and fast speed contributed to the accident, which remains under investigation, said Emmet County Sheriff Peter Wallin.

Snowmobile wrecks often follow familiar patterns, experts said.

"There's a lot of people out there and a lot of trails out there. And when you combine alcohol and speed, it's an accident waiting to happen," said Sgt. Al Bavarskas, a conservation officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "When you start getting on these machines made to go well over 100 mph, the trail system can't handle these high-powered machines. Some just take it to the limits."

Safety tips include operating snowmobiles for conditions at or below posted speed limits, as well as not drinking and riding, he said.

DNR conservation officers will patrol area snowmobile trails into the holiday weekend, a time of year when snowmobile activity historically increases, Bavarskas said.

Last winter brought 25 snowmobile deaths in 24 crashes, an increase over the previous season with 21 deaths in 20 crashes. Until last year, snowmobile fatalities were on an annual downward trend from the last high of 46 fatal snowmobile wrecks in the winter of 2002-2003, according to state records.

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