INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 13-year-old girl was killed Tuesday in Oakland County when the snowmobile she was riding on crashed into the back of another snowmobile, ejecting her, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Police said the girl, from Orion Township, was a passenger on a snowmobile driven by a 13-year-old Orion Township boy. The boy was following his 55-year-old father, from Independence Township, who was also riding a snowmobile, according to deputies.
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Oakland County deputies and Independence Township firefighters were called at 4:09 p.m. Tuesday to the area of Whipple Lake and North Eston roads in Independence Township.
Investigator said the father was slowing down or stopping his snowmobile on the side of North Eston Road when his son crashed into him. Both were operating 2004 Polaris 550 model snowmobiles, police said.
The crash caused the girl to be ejected from the boy’s snowmobile, according to authorities.
Both children were taken to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital by paramedics, officials said.
Authorities said the 13-year-old girl died from her injuries. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The 13-year-old boy is listed as stable in the hospital, medical officials said. His father was not injured, police said.
Alcohol and drug use do not appear to have been factors in the crash, authorities said. All three people were wearing helmets, police said.
“We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our students," Lake Orion Community Schools Superintendent Marion Ginopolis said in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends.”
Deputies are working with the Lake Orion schools in terms of notifying students.