Pittsfield Women Identified In Fatal Snowmobile Crash
State police in Plainfield have identified the victim in a fatal snowmobile crash last Saturday in the Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest as Michelle Vincent of Pittsfield. The Berkshire Eagle reports that Vincent, a leader in the snowmobiling community, traveled within the country and to Canada to take part in the activity.
According to her obituary, Vincent’s most recent job was as a consultant of marketing and internet-based advertising and inventory for South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.
Vincent was a member and former president of the Kanary Kats Snowmobile Club in Savoy, where she served as a lead event organizer and reported on trail conditions and safety, the announcement said.
Remembered there as someone who lit up rooms with her smile and laugh, Vincent was described as both fiery and caring, and someone who did not shy away from a challenge.
Her obituary said,
“She loved life’s scenery. Michelle was also fiercely loyal to her family, her pup Lexi, and friends. She loved to visit her parents while in Florida and there, much like the snow, she loved the water, sand and collecting shells on the beach. Her outgoing nature and love will be missed by all that knew and loved her.”
Vincent died after her snowmobile struck a tree Saturday evening in the Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, said Plainfield Fire Chief David Alvord. She was leading a group of snowmobilers who had gone out for a day of snowmobiling, it was reported that the trails were in near perfect condition.
The incident occurred about one mile into the forest off North Central Street on a trail that in winter is groomed for snowmobiling,
Due to bad cell service in the area, 20 minutes passed before first responders were contacted before 6 p.m. First responders tried to locate the snowmobilers, gaining an idea of their location when they heard someone mention Hell’s Kitchen.
Vincent did not have a pulse when authorities arrived. They began rendering CPR before removing her from the forest on a utility terrain vehicle belonging to the Cummington Fire Department. She was rushed to Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and was pronounced dead at the hospital, Alvord said.
The crash remains under investigation and authorities do not suspect foul play.