Man Dies in Pine Co. After Snowmobile Crashes Into Tree

RUTLEDGE - On 12-15-2013 at about 1532 pm, Pine County Sheriff's Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a snowmobile had hit a tree along the Willard Munger Trail just south of Rutledge, Minnesota in rural Pine County.

The caller reported that the person that had been operating the machine was lying in the ditch and was unresponsive.

Emergency responders were dispatched and arrive at the accident with the assistance of good Samaritans on snowmobiles.

Sheriff's Deputies and EMS found a 22 year old male lying the ditch near the wrecked snowmobile.

The male had no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was south bound, left the trail and hit a tree.

The accident was not witnessed by anyone in the victim's riding group.

Statements indicate that alcohol may have played a role in this accident.

The victim's next of kin was notified by Fairbault County Sheriff Michael Gormley.

The victim was identified as Jordan Daniel Mutschler, age 22.