For Hub City Times

NEILLSVILLE — At about 1:12 a.m. on Feb. 4, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a snowmobile accident located near Hiline Avenue south of County Highway K in the township of Unity.

Initial investigation indicated that a snowmobile being operated by Dennis H. Geiger, 62 years old, was traveling west on a snowmobile trail. The snowmobile left the trail at a slight curve and struck a tree, ejecting the operator and minor passenger.

Geiger and the passenger were both wearing helmets. Geiger was pronounced dead at the scene by Clark County Coroner Richard Schleifer. The passenger was transported to the Marshfield’s Saint Joseph’s Hospital for her injuries.

The Department of Natural Resources, Spencer Area Ambulance and Fire Department, Spencer First Responders, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Spirit Air Helicopter, and Clark County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and DNR are continuing the investigation into the crash. This is the first snowmobile fatality for Clark County in 2017.

The operator lived near the city of Colby. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.

CORRECTION: In the original article, speed and alcohol were listed as contributing to the snowmobile accident, as per the press release from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. A subsequent press release corrected that statement and indicated alcohol was not believed to be a factor. The Hub City Times regrets the error.