A weekend snowmobile crash leaves a Massachusetts woman dead south of Jackman. Just before 5 p.m., March 4, on Saturday, Maine game wardens responded to a snowmobile crash in Parlin Pond Township, Somerset County.

Karen L. Pillman, 45, from Wilmington, Massachusetts, was leading a group of three snowmobilers that were crossing the Parlin Connector Trail on Parlin Pond. The Parlin Connector Trail leads to the east side of the pond and then enters the woods.

Shortly after Pillman left the pond on her 2010 Polaris 800 snowmobile, she drifted to the left side of the groomed trail and collided into several trees.

Pillman was ejected from the snowmobile and came to rest in the trail.

Life-saving measures were attempted by several individuals who arrived on scene and again by Jackman Regional Ambulance personnel. Pillman was pronounced dead at the scene. Game wardens say speed is likely a contributing factor and that Pillman was wearing a helmet.

The body is being examined in Augusta by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash remains under investigation at this time.

Several other non-life threatening snowmobile crashes took place over the weekend due in part to deteriorating trail conditions. The melting snow pack has created ice, exposed rocks, stumps and other hazards on the trails. Brooks and streams have also washed out trails in some areas. Snowmobilers must remain alert and operate at speeds that will provide plenty of time to stop to avoid hazards. This is Maine’s ninth snowmobile related fatality this season.