KEWEENAW COUNTY — A 49-year-old male from Illinois was killed Sunday in the first snowmobile fatality in the county for the 2019-2020 season, said Undersheriff Kurt Pennala.

Deputies were dispatched to a report of a snowmobile property damage crash at approximately 4:51 p.m., on Trail Number 3, near Lac La Belle Road. While en route, deputies were informed the crash was updated to one of a personal injury, and that CPR was in progress.

Upon investigation, deputies found that the man was traveling with a group of snowmobilers north on the trail, when the driver failed to negotiate a left-hand turn, left the trail, and became airborne before being ejected from the machine.

First responders continued life-saving efforts when the arrived, but the man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Pennala said the name of the deceased is not being released pending notification of next of kin. While speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, said Pennala, it is not yet known if alcohol was also a factor. The crash remains under investigation, he said.

Assisting at the scene were the Lac La Belle First Responders, Ahmeek Off-Road Rescue, Mercy Ambulance, and the Keweenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office.