The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department said their investigation of a Feb. 10 snowmobile crash that resulted in the death of Lake Orion resident Brooks Stuart Patterson could take weeks, if not months.
Patterson, 28, was on a snowmobile being operated by 48-year-old Robert Slade of Goodrich, who owns property on Lake Shinanguag, where the accident occurred.
Capt. Christopher Swanson of the Genesee County Sheriff Department said the accident occurred at about 10:47 p.m.
‘There were a number of snowmobiles on the lake,? he said.
Included among the snowmobilers was Jason Anderson, 34, of Davison, whom Swanson said was following another snowmobiler. The person Anderson was trailing then veered right, said Swanson, apparently to avoid a collision with Slade.
Swanson said Anderson then collided with Slade and Patterson.
None of the people involved were wearing helmets, said Swanson, and alcohol and high speed are believed to be factors.
About that time, Jim Mitchell, a lake resident for the past 15 years, was on his way over to a gathering on the south side of the lake.
‘I was heading over and I just happened to be right behind the emergency vehicles when they were just getting there,? said Mitchell.
‘When I got there I could see people and others out on the ice’there had been a terrible accident out on the lake. The rescue teams were out on the ice and headlights from other snowmobiles were being used to illuminate the area where the accident had occurred. I was very impressed with paramedics and all the rescue’very professional.?
All three men were transported to Genesys Regional Medical Center by Genesee County Sheriff Paramedics. Officers from the Genesee County Sheriff Department’s Atlas Substation and the township fire department also responded to the scene.
‘They had to work in adverse conditions because it was on the lake,? said Swanson. ‘The fire department and paramedics did a wonderful job accessing them.?
Patterson died from injuries sustained in the accident at Genesys on Feb. 11. The other men were listed in critical condition.
Swanson said an investigation of the crash could last 60-90 days.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said no charges have as of yet been filed because investigation is still ongoing.
The community continues to feel the effects of the tragedy.
‘We’re like a family out here on the lake’many know each other and we’re friends. So when something like this happens, we are all very concerned,? said Mitchell. ‘Bob’s a special guy’he’s just not reckless’this accident has devastated us out here.?
Meanwhile, a funeral was held on Feb. 14 for Patterson at Bridgewood Church in Clarkston.
‘On behalf of the administration and the employees, our heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with the family,? said Bob Dustman, media and communications officer for L. Brooks Patterson. ‘This, of course, is a deeply and intensely personal tragedy, and we hope that will be respected.?
The younger Patterson, known as ‘Brooksie,? was an avid outdoorsman, church-goer and family man who owned a residential construction company.
According to an obituary at www.coatsfuneralhome.com, Patterson is survived by his wife, Jessie, and their three children, Ryder, Luke and Marlee Tru, as well as his parents, L. Brooks and Kathy Patterson, and several siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Donations with checks payable to the ‘Patterson Scholarship Fund? (benefitting Patterson’s children) may be made out to Clarkston State Bank, 15 S. Main St., Clarkston, Mich. 48346.
Review Editor Colin Baumgartner contributed to this report.