Along with all this snow comes a sort or resurgence in the area of winter activities. With all the snow on lakes, I am not sure how ice fishing is going, but the snowmobilers are taking quick advantage of conditions we have not experienced in this area for several years. Combine that with Holidays and folks off from work, it was busy. Unfortunately along with that comes snowmobile accidents. In fact, in the previous couple of weeks there have seen six snowmobile‐crash-related deaths, and the Minnesota DNR has reminded folks to be careful out there.
On Friday, Jan. 6, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to a snowmobile crash with serious injury as well. At 2:19 p.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a snowmobile accident with injuries near the address of 24555 Co. Rd. 23 in Munson Twp., just northwest of Richmond. Deputies Dennis Kern and Zach Milne responded to the scene.
Upon arrival they found that Arisa Ressemann, 29 of -Richmond, and Peyton Fahleen, 22 of Sartell, were with a small group riding in the ditch area. They were traveling southeast along Co. Rd. 23 heading towards Richmond.
Ressemann was operating a 2013 Ski‐Doo snowmobile while Fahleen was operating a 2010 Ski‐Doo. Ressemann went over a driveway and got stuck in the deep snow on the east side of the driveway. Fahleen was following at a slow speed and, as she crested the driveway, she saw that Ressemann was stuck in the ditch. However, due to the terrain, Fahleen noticed too late that Ressemann was stuck and was unable to take evasive action and struck Ressemann.
Ressemann was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital via Life Link helicopter for non‐life-threatening injuries. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Chain of Lakes Fire Department and Paynesville Ambulance Service.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office would remind all winter recreation enthusiasts to be safe, especially if it’s been a while since they have had the opportunity to enjoy the activity.