U.P. Snowmobile Death Toll stands at 7 in just over 2 months – plus four critically hurt: The names of two men in that fiery, fatal crash in Sault Ste. Marie, MI on Monday have been released

URGENT URGENT URGENT – Upper Peninsula Breaking News Bulletin – 3-2-18 – 5:55 a.m. ET

Names, a little more info is released on that horrific snowmobile, Gator tracked vehicle crash on Monday in Chippewa County

 

Snowmobile vs Gator Crash Trail 8

John Deer Gator

Snowmobile vs Gator Crash Trail 8

 

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Sault Ste. Marie MI) – Names and more information are coming out five days after that violent fiery crash involving a snowmobile and a tracked vehicle pulling a groomer in Chippewa County, MI.

A Chippewa County man who was killed and a downstate Ada man was critically burned in the crash on Snowmobile Trail Number 8 in the area of the Algonquin Ski Trail at about 10:40 a.m. ET Monday morning, Feb. 26, 2018 in Sault Ste. Marie.

65-year-old Roy Lee Pederson, of Paradise, MI was killed at the scene of the crash. At least 7 people have died in just over two months in U.P. snowmobile accidents. Pederson was a State Park Ranger with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, according to his obituary.

“He loved everything to do with the outdoors. He also loved to go to his grandsons’ hockey games. If they were playing, he was there!”

Scroll down to see the full obituary. Memorial services will not be held.

The driver of the 2014 Yamaha snowmobile was 58-year-old Mark S. Goss of downstate Ada. MI. Goss was rushed to War Memorial Hospital in the Soo. Goss was later flown to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with severe burns.

It explains why authorities were trying to reach the AMWAY world headquarters in Ada. Goss worked at AMWAY, and his namesake son interned at the company.

Pedersen was driving a 2015 John Deere Gator side by side, equipped with tracks. He had been grooming a nearby cross country ski trail when the grooming vehicle and the snowmobile collided.

There have been at least 7 snowmobile fatalities in just over two months during a horrific snowmobiling season on Upper Peninsula Trails. At least four people have been critically injured in U.P. snowmobile crashes since mid-December 2017.

After U.P. Breaking News exposed the police audio from the accident – officials finally released a vague statement that has appeared in some of the U.P. media.

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Previous stories and links on 2017-2018 Winter U.P. Snowmobiling season – listen to the police audio of the Soo wreck:

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/02/19/back-to-back-upper-peninsula-snowmobile-crashes-rescue-of-a-snowmobiler-who-flipped-his-sled-on-lake-superior-in-the-eastern-u-p-then-a-sledder-injured-on-a-trial-in-negaunee-township

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/snowmobile-trail-tragedy-in-chippewa-county-mi

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/the-coverup-2-over-48-hours-after-the-crash-media-has-not-been-told-crash-happened-especially-terrible-crash-in-sault-ste-marie-mi-fatal-crash-horror-on-mon-feb-26-2018-in-the-soo/

Obituary:
65-year-old Roy L. Pederson, of Paradise, MI, passed away unexpectedly in an accident on February 26, 2018. Roy was born on December 7, 1952 in St. Johns, MI, to Lee and Sue Pederson. He attended Central Michigan University where he met and married his wife, Diane, on May 21, 1977. Roy enjoyed his work as a State Park Ranger with the Department of Natural Resources, as he loved everything to do with the outdoors. He also loved to go to his grandsons’ hockey games. If they were playing, he was there!
Roy is survived by his wife Diane, his daughter Debbie (Eddie) Bowers, his son Jeromy, and grandchildren Eddie, Ian, Blake, Lucas Roy, Marlee, and Kyanite, a niece Sarah Messer, sister-in-law Patty (Tim) Shine, sister-in-law Karen Lang, brother-in-law Mike (Annmarie) Mackley, and special friends Luane and Cathy Lumbert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gene.
He also has a large extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
According to Roy’s wishes, a memorial service is not planned. Arrangements are being made by the Hovie Funeral Home in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Memorials may be made to the family to be donated in memory of Roy to a charity or organization that was important to him.

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Snowmobile Fatalities 2017-2018 winter:

Jamie Steen

Randy Alan Liddicoat

Michele Marie ‘Shelly’ Megard

Jason Craig Bashor

46-year-old Michael James Zanlungo of Harrison Township, MI

51-year-old Douglas Charles Hawes of Saginaw, MI

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Tues., Jan. 16, 2018 – Chippewa County, MI

Douglas Charles Hawes

51-year-old Douglas Charles Hawes of Saginaw, MI

Hawes was riding his sled on Snowmobile Trail #8 (between M-123, Curley Lewis Highway) during the noon hour on that Tuesday in Chippewa County.

Hawes missed a curve and struck a tree traveling very fast. Speed and unfamiliarity of snowmobile trails (surprise curves) is a big factor in many of the deaths. Tremendous speeds that kill instantly. Hawes apparently did not see the curve until it was too late. Hawes and his sled then slammed into trees.

Hawes was married and leaves behind a wife and daughter.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/douglas-hawes-obituary?pid=1000000187881351&view=guestbook

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Wed., Jan. 10, 2018 – southern Houghton County, MI

Jamie Travis Steen

41-year-old Jamie Travis Steen of rural Curtiss, Wisconsin
Killed after losing control of sled on a curve on Trail 8 and hit a tree in remote Houghton County – off M-28
Factors include speed

Steen was married and the father of four daughters
He was in the construction business all his lifr and owned SJS Excavating, a sewer and sewer line construction company in Curtiss, WI.
A memorial service will be held this Wed., Jan. 17, 2018.

http://maurinaschilling.com/lifestory/clouds/home.html?Year=2018&Month=1&Day=10&FirstName=Jamie&LastName=Steen

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Sat., Dec. 30, 2017 – Gogebic County, MI

Randy Alan Liddicoat

52-year-old Randy Alan Liddicoat of Evansville, Wisconsin
Victim was trying to cross U.S.-2 at Ramsay crossing about 1 p.m. in Gogebic County – struck by an eastbound pickup truck.
Factors include low visibility/snowy conditions

Liddicoat loved snowmobiling and attending Wisconsin Badger football games with his two sons. Liddicoat was active in fishing, golf, Midget and Sprint car racing, and other sports including still holding high school cross country records. He loved his two dogs (Olive and Henry) and enjoyed relaxing with family and friends.

A farmer in his younger years, Liddicoat worked at Covance Laboratories and Millwork Specialists of Wisconsin in Madison. He was a co-owner of Liddicoat Lawncare Services LLC with his sons Brett and Blake. A memorial service was held on Sat., Jan. 13, 2018.

http://www.wardhurtley.com/obituaries/Randy-Alan-Liddicoat?obId=2853600#/obituaryInfo

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Fri., Dec. 29, 2017 – Gogebic County, MI

Michele Marie ‘Shelly’ Megard

51-year-old Michele Marie “Shelly” Megard of Hudson, Wisconsin
Riding with other sledders in a group on an unplowed right of way on Powerhorn Road – north of U.S.-2 in Bessemer Township, MI.
Victim lost control of her machine about 11:30 a.m., overturned in ditch and was run over by another snowmobile.
Factors include visibility/snowy weather

Visitation and a celebration of life was held Sat., Jan. 13, 2018.

http://www.lakesidememorialchapel.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=4507135&fh_id=12415

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Wed., Dec. 27, 2017 – Luce County, MI

Michael James Zanlungo

46-year-old Michael James Zanlungo of Harrison Township, MI

Zanlungo was killed while riding Trail #9 traveling northbound in McMillan Township on a Wednesday afternoon in the last week of 2017.
Zanlungo’s sled hit a log on the trail and the sled careened into trees.
The crash happened on snowmobile Trail #9 in Luce County – west of County Road 407.
Among those on the scene were Michigan State Police of the Sault Ste. Marie Post and Luce County EMS.

http://wujekcalcaterra.tributes.com/obituary/show/Michael-James-Zanlungo-105645720

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Sun., Dec. 17, 2017 – Alger County, MI

Jason Craig Bashor

34-year-old Jason Craig Bashor of Pocomoke City, Maryland

Shaena Leigh Hicks

A friend and co-worker in meteorology – 34-year-old Shaena Leigh Hicks of Greenbackville, Virginia suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Both were on travel assignment in the U.P. Hicks is a meteorologist at Orbital ATK in Virginia – a company that does work in military satellites, space travel, missiles and defense systems. Hicks, a married mother of two, is a native of Roanoke, VA.

The pair was traveling together in separate snowmobiles – lost control on Trail #8 curve, left the trail, struck multiple trees- about a mile west of M-94 in Shingleton, MI.

Factors include excessive speed and operational inexperience.

Jason Craig Bashor

A father of two, Bashor served in the Navy from 2002 until 2012.

Bashor was currently an Electrical Tech 3 working as a Senior Ground Validation Systems Technician for A.S.R.C. Fed. Space and Defense (AS&D) at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, VA

Bashor was on a travel assignment in Michigan.

Funeral services were held on Sat., Dec. 23, 2017 in Pocomoke City, MD.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delmarvanow/obituary.aspx?pid=187577174

https://www.orbitalatk.com/
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter
http://asrcfederal.com/news/asrc-federal-space-and-defense-selected-nasa-wallops-engineering-contract
http://wrkr.com/keweenaw-rocket-range/

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https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/fatal-sunday-snowmobile-crash-in-alger-county-mi-one-of-several-upper-peninsula-snowmobile-accidents-this-weekend/

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/tragedy-on-the-trails-terrible-snowmobile-crash-reported-in-chippewa-county

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/01/15/fiery-early-monday-morning-snowmobile-crash-sends-sledder-to-ironwood-mi-hospital-with-serious-injuries-funerals-held-this-weekend-and-one-planned-this-week-for-three-of-the-four-people-killed-in-u

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U.P. Snowmobile info

http://www.upsnowmobiling.com/trail-maps

http://www.uptravel.com/snowmobile-trail-report-54/

Snowmobile Trail Report

Western Upper Peninsula – By County

Central Upper Peninsula – By County

Eastern Upper Peninsula – By County

Jason Craig Bashor

Michele Marie ‘Shelly’ Megard

Randy Alan Liddicoat

Jamie Steen

46-year-old Michael James Zanlungo of Harrison Township, MI

51-year-old Douglas Charles Hawes of Saginaw, MI

ttps://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/fifth-snowmobile-fatal-crash-in-a-month-in-the-upper-peninsula-claims-life-of-saginaw-man/comment-page-1/

Tragedy on the Trails: Terrible snowmobile crash reported in Chippewa County, MI

Fiery early Monday morning snowmobile crash sends sledder to Ironwood, MI hospital with serious injuries – Funerals held this weekend and one planned this week for three of the four people killed in U.P. snowmobile crashes in past month

Fatal Groomer Accident: More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died Thursday during an incident with a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered until now

URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-19-17 11 p.m. URGENT URGENT More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died today working/repairing a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered til now

A snowmobile trail groomer – who loved his job – was killed in Schoolcraft County Thursday during a freak groomer accident in a groomer’s barn in Seney

After tragic start, then great conditions, this Upper Peninsula snowmobile season continues to change lives and break hearts – A painful season in all corners of the U.P.

Remembering – Tyler Barker – a Schoolcraft County trail groomer with a heart of gold – who died today way before his time (below see the groomer photo he recently posted, also a video of the young man two years ago enjoying summer with his friends)

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Seney, MI) – A young snowmobile trail groomer – who was thrilled by his job – was killed Thursday during a freak accident involving a groomer.

The victim has been identified by other groomers and family friends online. Those posts identified the victim as Tyler Barker, in his 20s. Tyler is the son of John and Marcy Barker of Germfask, MI. The victim is survived by his parents, a brother, John Barker; and a sister.

There is a lot of conflicting information on what exactly happened that caused Barker to become so seriously injured by a groomer. Numerous sources say he was pinned – but others who claim to know refuse to comment.

Tyler Barker graduated from the Manistique High School class of 2014, according to his Facebook page that explains his love for groomers and enjoying life. The accident reportedly happened Thursday afternoon near Seney, MI in Schoolcraft County. Some online comments to this story say the incident happened inside a groomer’s barn.

For 30 years, Schoolcraft County is one of the most secretive places – not revealing many things that happened – and that is true with this story.

U.P. Breaking News was told the accident happened Thursday afternoon – along or near – a snowmobile trail. Presumably this groomers barn is near a snowmobile trail (however no officials have commented – and some who claim to know say the groomer’s barn is not near a trail).
U.P. Breaking News would like to report exactly what happened – however numerous online comments from people who claim to know – do not shed any light on this terrible incident.  Plus Schoolcraft County officials never return phone calls only adding to rumors people are spreading. Even those who claim to know have varying accounts – as some say it happened in the barn and others say outside but not near a trail.

By all accounts, the paramedics/EMTs/First Responders did everything they could to save Tyler Barker – including CPR all the way to M-28 in Marquette County – where the victim was transferred to an U.P. Health System – Marquette ambulance with advanced life support.

This photo was posted by Tyler Barker on January 13, 2017 – less than a week before his terrible accident Thurs., Jan. 18, 2017 (further down is a video he posted):

The young man “was severely injured this afternoon in Seney,” said one of the condolences.

DNR photo of trailer groomer wreck in Luce County during 2016-2017 Christmas and New Year holidays when U.P. trail conditions were soft and melting

Officials have not put out a news release. Several sources say Tyler Barker was rushed by Luce County EMS to Marquette. However, his injuries were too serious and he died at U.P. Health System – Marquette.

Members of the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association tonight are said to be in shock and mourning the loss of Tyler Barker.

Tyler Barker on Facebook:

• Studied at Manistique High School
• Went to Manistique High School
• Lives in Germfask, Michigan

• From Germfask, Michigan

  Posted this video in 2014:

  https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftyler.barker.188%2Fvideos%2Fvb.100001451742797%2F692386817486370%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=0&width=400

Several tragic accidents in Luce County – and other areas of the U.P. – over the Christmas and New Year holidays that seriously injured several people as trail conditions had deteriorated due to unseasonably warm weather. Those incidents caused statewide reaction from snowmobilers.

Since cold returned, trail conditions improved drastically. However, the U.P. has had another spell of warm weather. So beware of all trail conditions as warmer weather conditions that can make snow and the trails soft.

From Hell’s Highway to Powder Heaven; “Winter Wonderland” was once on Michigan license plates – Its now Snowier and Colder in da U.P. than a Witch’s Bippy – But remember sometimes snowmobile speed kills – AND THE UNHEEDED DNR WARNING

U.P. Now!

U.P. Before!

So, Snowmobilers were warned by the DNR about the bad trails last month that resulted in numerous crashes – the question is was it used much by TV, radio and newspaper – and apparently it did not get around as much as it should have within the snowmobiling community

Talk about the weather changing in 15 minutes – Upper Peninsula snowmobile trails have gone from treacherous over the New Years – to snow-covered and perfect

Speed will always be a controversial issue – causing Blood on the Trails

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) – Slam Slam. Piles of snow!!

Today, one trail groomer in the Copper Country saw over 65 sleds this morning along.

Conditions have changed for the better and at lightening speed on the U.P. snowmobile trails, but the speed of today’s machines will always be controversial.

Snowstorm after storm this week has battered the Upper Peninsula snow belts with foot after foot of snow in some areas. These storms over past week or so – and today – were thrilling to kids as school was closed, and sent skiers and snowmobilers into that snowy fun they expect from thew U.P. Winter.

However, a horrendous and deadly snowmobile crashes marred the usually cold transition into January – as dozens of snowmobiles crashed during a week to 10-day period – roughly the last week or so of December through the New Year holiday. Victims who spoke to U.P. Breaking News insisted they were not criticizing the snowmobile groomer groups in Luce and Alger Counties. But they did not have proper warning – whether it be several stop signs or a media alert.

However, the controversy has shown that a better warning system needs to be developed after a certain number of wrecks are reported – and there should be immediate reporting to respective groups. U.P. Breaking News can be called anytime of the day or night to issue a warning – and the rest of the media would likely make sure the info got out far and wide.

So, nobody feels worse than snowmobile officials in the U.P. about the terrible injuries caused recently on the trails. In fact the trails were also terrible in northern Wisconsin – where there were numerous bad accidents – those areas along the U.P. border.

Hopefully this type of lousy, melting snowmobile conditions will never happened again – and at least be identified quicker (thru an immediate central reporting system). One place to count accidents immediately and quickly lists locations – soon later put out warnings like causes/trail issues.

U.P. Breaking News was the only media in the Upper Midwest reporting the horror on the trails between Christmas and New Years. However nobody notified us that it was because of the trails being mushy- and almost mini-lakes in some areas.

You can believe U.P. Breaking News because if we thought the trails were bad now – we’d tell ya.