A Connecticut woman died when her snowmobile crashed at the edge of a frozen pond in Solon, Maine Saturday, ejecting her from the machine, wardens said Sunday.
The woman, Michelle Pavia, 43, of Stamford, Connecticut, was the daughter of former Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, according to a statement from Stamford Mayor David Martin.
Michelle Pavia was driving off the pond when the snowmobile crashed into the shoreline, sending her hurtling toward trees Saturday night, wardens said. She was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene, wardens said.
Mayor Martin released a statement on Monday.
“This is a tragic loss for the Pavia family and Stamford’s community. I have called Mayor Pavia to express my condolences for his family. Michael Pavia was the Mayor of Stamford, and it is often overlooked how much a person’s family can contribute to their values as Mayor. This a tremendous loss, and I wish the best for the Pavia family as they endure this tragedy," Mayor Martin said in a statement.
Speed and operator inexperience were likely factors in the crash, wardens said.
Wardens also are investigating a separate incident, hours earlier, in which a snowmobile left the scene after colliding with a sled dog musher during daylight hours just north of Brownville Junction.
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The dog sled team was taking part in a race that shared the snowmobile route when the musher was sideswiped by a snowmobile that never stopped. The musher was knocked to the ground but refused medical treatment, wardens said.
