Atlas Twp.- An evening spent snowmobiling turned tragic for three riders Feb. 10, resulting in the death of Brooks ‘Brooksie? Patterson, of Lake Orion, son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
He was 28.
Neighbors say the calamity of that night was a disturbing contrast to the usual calm of the neighborhood.
‘It’s typically quiet out here on the lake’it’s private,? said Ted Petrill, 84, a lake resident for the past 20 years who lives just to the north of the crash site. ‘There’s a few snowmobiles out there, but not many.?
Capt. Christopher Swanson of the Genesee County Sheriff Department said the accident occurred about 10:47 p.m. on Lake Shinanguag.
‘There were a number of snowmobiles on the lake,? said Swanson.
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 another snowmobile driven by 48- year-old Robert Slade of Goodrich. Slade, who owns property on the lake, was sharing a snowmobile with Patterson.
Swanson said Anderson then collided with Slade and Patterson.
None of the people involved were wearing helmets, said Swanson, and alcohol and 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 still in critical condition at press time.
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.
‘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 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.?
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.
According to the website, a funeral service was planned for 11 a.m., Feb.14, at Bridgewood Church, 6765 Rattalee Lake Road in Clarkston.
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.