Early Morning Snowmobile Accident Leaves One Person Dead
By: Audra Streetman
Updated: March 7, 2013
The Whitley County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at approximately 1:45 Wednesday morning about a snowmobile accident in a field near the 2000 block of West County Road 200 N.
WFFT learned two snowmobiles were traveling west-bound near County Road 150 W. One of the snowmobiles left the roadway and continued West through an open field. After traveling a few hundred yards, the snowmobile struck a wire fence enclosing a livestock pasture.
The driver of that snowmobile, 21 year old Justin Hinen of Columbia City, was pronounced dead on scene by emergency personnel. It appears Hinen died of blunt force trauma to the neck. An official autopsy will be conducted later today to determine the exact cause of death.


