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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted March 2, 2002 Press release © 2002 Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office

Snowmobiler suffers serious injury in Keweenaw

EAGLE RIVER -- An Illinois man suffered serious injuries on Feb. 27 after losing control of his 1998 Arctic Cat snowmobile while traveling north on Trail #3 near Phoenix.

Kevin Wilson, 38, of McHenry, Ill., went off the trail, struck a tree and was then ejected from the machine. Wilson suffered injuries to his back and leg. After Mercy Ambulance transported him to Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center in Laurium, he was moved to Marquette General Hospital the same day because of internal injuries, according to Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti. Alcohol was not a factor. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office.

Assisting at the scene of the accident were Allouez Township First Responders, Mercy Ambulance personnel and friends of Wilson.

So far this season Keweenaw County has had one snowmobile fatality (in January) and a few other injury accidents, but fewer than other years. Sheriff Lahti said the recent increase in snowfall is a concern.

"Accident numbers early in the season were down because of poor snow conditions," Lahti said on Friday, March 1. "We're concerned now with the number of snow machines we could get because of all the heavy snow. The potential for accidents goes up the more machines we have. I'm anticipating a lot of sleds, which is great for the businesses. It's good for the economy but also a potential for accidents."

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