IRON COUNTY (WWJ) -- A 42-year-old Wisconsin man was killed Thursday morning when he crashed his snowmobile into an approaching maintenance vehicle on a trail in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The fatal collision occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday along Snowmobile Trail UP 113 -- located south of Crystal Falls.
Todd Lisowe, of New Holstein, WI was pronounced dead at the scene after attempts to resuscitate him failed.
According to Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers, Lisowe was with a group of three other snowmobilers. The foursome had planned to travel from Big Bay in Marquette County to Pembine, WI.
Lisowe was out in front of the group as they drove south between U.S. Highway 2 and Stager Lake Rd when he struck a trail groomer that was headed north. A trail groomer is a tractor-sized maintenance vehicle, similar to a snow plow, used to clear and smooth out trails.
Both the operator of the groomer and a passenger walked away from the collision unharmed.
Authorities believe excessive speed was the cause of the fatal crash, as the weather was clear with no visibility concerns. They do not think drugs or alcohol were a factor.
This is the 15th snowmobile fatality in Michigan so far this season, up from 13 fatalities last winter and 12 the previous year.
Conservation officers are urging snowmobilers to "Ride Right," which means staying to the right side of the trail, riding sober and at a safe speed based on weather and snowmobiling experience. Riders also need to anticipate that they may pass trail groomers and pay attention to their surroundings.
The DNR Law Enforcement Division was assisted at the scene of the crash by DNR fire officers, Michigan State Police, Iron County Search and Rescue, Iron County Sheriff's Office and local fire departments.
For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.
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