SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY — Just three weeks into 2025, the Upper Peninsula has recorded its forth snowmobile death of the new year. State police say the accident occurred Friday night in Schoolcraft County. According to a state police press release, troopers from the Manistique post responded to a crash on the Haywire Grade Trail near Thunder Lake Road in Inwood Township. Several members of the victim’s group, traveling further behind, arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and contacted 911.

They began life-saving efforts, including CPR, prior to the arrival of State Police and first responders. Troopers, assisted by snowmobilers in the area, were able to reach the crash site after traveling by snowmobile.

Upon arrival, MSP immediately began further life-saving efforts with Inwood Township and Alger County EMS assisting at the scene.

Despite these efforts, the driver of the snowmobile, identified only as a 46-year-old woman from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

A preliminary investigation revealed the driver failed to negotiate a curve causing the sled to strike multiple trees. Police say neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the crash.

Lt. Ben Eckola, MSP Eighth District Public Information Office, said, “We off our condolences to the family, friends and all those who knew the victim. We would like to thank our troopers, EMS personnel and all first responders as well as the snowmobilers who assisted in transporting MSP to the crash.

The death marks the fourth Upper Peninsula snowmobile fatality in so far in 2025. All of the victims have been residents of Wisconsin.