Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

March 13, 2010

Six snowmobile fatalities so far in region

In Michigan, 23 people have died in accidents

BY SHERI McWHIRTER

Traverse City -- Northwestern Michigan snowmobile trails are sloppy, muddy and falling apart, their disrepair a signal of the end to a season marked by limited snowfall and six fatalities.

That's one less regional snowmobile death than last year and comprises about a quarter of the state's 23 recorded snowmobile deaths this season. Six of the state's deaths involved alcohol, state records show.

Minimal snowfall characterized this winter, but snow enthusiasts nonetheless took to the trails.

"I don't think it was a phenomenal season, but I don't think it was a bad season," said Carol Kraak, who writes trail reports for the Benzie County Visitors Bureau.

Fewer snowmobilers made the trek up north compared to last year's banner season and record snowfalls, Kraak said. But limited snow didn't keep all riders away and some lost their lives or suffered devastating injuries.

A snowmobile crash critically injured a Traverse City man on Feb. 3 in a field near Kingsley in Grand Traverse County. Kyle McGhee, 22, remains hospitalized with head injuries and now struggles with pneumonia.

"His eyes are open, but there's no talking at all," said Allen Tomaszewski, McGhee's stepfather. "He was going too fast and riders should stay on the trails. Always drive in control because speed kills."

The first local death occurred Dec. 22 in Crawford County's Frederic Township. Authorities believe Ohio resident Joyce Weir, 68, lost control when she entered a turn too quickly and crashed into a tree. It was her first time on a snowmobile.

Another death followed on Dec. 26 in Benzie County's Almira Township, when downstate resident Candace McDonald, 29, missed a curve and struck a tree.

The next fatality came Jan. 29 in Cheboygan County's Mentor Township. Donald Carver, 70, of Indian River, lost control and struck several trees.

Two deaths happened in as many days in early February.

First, Nora Kilpatrick, 66, of Cheboygan, died Feb. 5 in a freak accident in Cheboygan County's Munro Township. The cover to a running snowmobile caught the throttle while being removed, and caused the sled to lurch forward and kill Kilpatrick when it struck a parked vehicle.

Then Steven Smigulec, 54, of East Jordan, died Feb. 6 while snowmobiling on his property in Antrim County. He crashed into trees and his family later found him in the snow.

The last local snow mobile death happened March 1 in Crawford County's Grayling Township. Kenneth Houghtaling, 44, of Grayling, lost control and rolled his snowmobile several times in icy conditions.

Last winter, 25 people died in snowmobile crashes in Michigan through the end of March.

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