Investigators and rescue workers at the scene of a fatal snowmobile crash near the middle of Paddock Lake Friday night. /Earlene Frederick photo
The man who died in a snowmobile crash on Paddock Lake Friday has been identified as David J. Miller, 43, of Paddock Lake.
Miller was driving a snowmobile across the frozen lake when he struck two ice shanties near the center of the lake, said Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Gil Benn. Reportedly, Miller clipped one of the shanties, lost control and then struck another shanty broadside.
Miller died at the scene, Benn said. He had been wearing a helmet.
There were two fishermen occupying the second ice shanty who sustained injuries. A 16-year-old male occupant sustained only minor injuries; a 33-year-old male occupant was transported to a hospital with facial injuries and was later released. Both fishermen were also from Paddock Lake.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens are conducting the investigation, since the crash happened on the lake.
Note: Our initial reporting on the night of the crash is here.
The snowmobile David Miller was driving Friday when he crashed into two ice shanties on Paddock Lake. Miller died at the scene. /Earlene Frederick
Boats need to stay a certain distance from each other when off the docks. It amazes me that a machine, going at any speed can be in close proximity to a stationary structure that may consit of nothing more than plastic or even an unprotected person sitting on a seat hoping for a bite on his line.
WDNR certainly has some experience with these kinds of situations. Why are these distance and speed measures being discussed and introduced legislatively. Why must people die or have their lives otherwise altered to get attention? How many people have been stationary on the ice and worried that an uncontrolled vehicle was coming too close to them? It is jsut a shame that anyone had to die in such a scenario. A shame. A sadness falls over all of us, I am sure, at the loss.
correction:
Why areN’T these distance and speed measures being discussed and introduced legislatively.
correction to the above post…:
Why areN’T these distance and speed measures being discussed and introduced legislatively?