Two more snowmobile deaths in the Northwoods brought Wisconsin’s toll for the season to seven.
An Illinois man died in a snowmobile crash Friday night in Oneida County.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office says 41 year old Matthew Finstrom of Plainfield, Illinois died in the crash in the Town of Nokomis.
A call reporting the crash came in at 11:10 Friday night.
The accident happened on Trail 51, near the intersection of County Highway L and Heafford road.
Investigation showed Finstrom’s snowmobile had overtaken another snowmobile at a high rate of speed.
Finstrom’s snowmobile then was unable to make a curve.
He was thrown from the machine and hit a fence post.
Sunday night in Vilas County, an Illinois resident died after a snowmobile hit a tree in the Town of Arbor Vitae.
The call for help came in just after 7:00 p.m.
Officers found the snowmobile had gone off trail 17 near Schuman Road and hit the tree.
Lifesaving efforts for the 54-year-old were not successful, and the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday, the DNR sent out a press release urging caution on the trails after a couple of deadly accidents.
They strongly encouraged operators to ride within their abilities, keep their speed in check, and wait to drink until they get home.
