MONTMORENCY COUNTY (WWJ) - A 38-year-old Wayne County man was killed in Northern Michigan earlier this week after losing control of his snowmobile and crashing into a tree, authorities say.
Jacob Chandonnet, 38, of Rockwood was involved in the fatal crash on Wednesday, Feb. 1, while snowmobiling along Snowmobile Trail LP 9, north of Atlanta, around noon.
Chandonnet becomes the ninth snowmobiling fatality in Michigan this winter, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
According to authorities, Chandonnet lost control of the snowmobile while on the trail. He was ejected from the machine and struck a tree.
Chandonnet was riding with his stepfather, Richard Tank, 58, also from Rockwood. Tank was operating a separate snowmobile behind his stepson and did not see the crash.
The DNR said when Tank came upon Chandonnet, he immediately called 911 and started life-saving efforts.
"An ambulance was unable to reach the crash site due to snow," the DNR added, saying first responders had to think up of another way to get to the victim. "Montmorency County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a local first responder helped conservation officers transport Chandonnet off the trail using a DNR patrol truck, while performing CPR and using an automatic external defibrillator."
The 38-year-old was then handed over to EMS personnel, but he was pronounced dead by medical examiners while being transported to the hospital.
The DNR said speed is the primary reason behind fatal and serious snowmobile accidents in the state. Last year, officials reported 13 snowmobiling deaths while the 2020-2021 winter season saw 12 fatalities.
"Conservation officers urge snowmobilers to Ride Right, by riding on the right side of the trail, riding sober and at a safe speed appropriate for weather conditions and rider abilities," the DNR added.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. For more information on the Ride Right safety campaign, visit Michigan.gov/RideRight.