Snowmobiling tragedy strikes an Orion family

A snowmobiling accident claimed the life of Lake Orion resident Brooks Stuart Patterson, 28, over the weekend.
Patterson, the son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, was riding as a passenger on a snowmobile being operated by a Goodrich man.
Their snowmobile collided with another, being driven by a 34-year-old Davison man, shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday night.
Patterson was pronounced dead on Sunday, while the Goodrich man, 48, was still in critical condition at press time.
‘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, was the owner of a local residential construction company. He and his wife, Jessie, had three children, including a new baby this past December.
‘It’s a real tragedy,? said former county commissioner Eric Wilson, who worked closely with the elder Patterson and knew the younger Patterson well.
Brooks Stuart Patterson graduated from school with Wilson’s son. He celebrated his 28th birthday on Friday.
‘He was a great young man,? Wilson said. ‘I feel the deepest sympathy for Brooks and his family.?
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to a scholarship fund for the Pattersons? three children at Clarkston State Bank, located at 15 S. Main Street in Clarkston (48346).
For more information on this story see next week’s Lake Orion Review and visit www.lakeorionreview.com.