AHMEEK — A 49-year-old male from Illinois was killed Sunday in the first snowmobile fatality in the Keweenaw County for the season, said Undersheriff Kurt Pennala.

Deputies were dispatched to a report of a snowmobile crash at approximately 4:51 p.m., on Trail Number 3, near Lac La Belle Road.

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 they 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.