The New York State Police are investigating a fatal snowmobile accident that occurred early Sunday morning on Fourth Lake in the town of Webb in the Adirondacks involving five snowmobiles.
On February 9, 2025, at about 3 am, New York State Police to Great Pines Resort on Route 28 in Old Forge for reports of a multi-snowmobile collision. Upon arrival, Troopers located Spencer W. Schmidt, 22, of Batavia, NY, who was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash.
State Police say their preliminary investigation determined that Schmidt was riding with four friends: Cole Phelps, 26, Carl Stephens, 26, Joshua Boyle, 26, and Zachary Dusky, 26. Dusky was the only rider who avoided the accident, and his snowmobile was undamaged.
Investigators believe the crash involved a disabled, unoccupied snowmobile registered to Eric Butler, 37, which had been left on the lake. Evidence suggests that Schmidt, along with Phelps, Stephens, and Boyle, collided with one another and/or the stationary snowmobile.
Police said all the men “were evaluated on scene and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” No charges have been filed.
All of the snowmobiles involved were transported to the Carthage State Police Barracks for examination by the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit and Forensic Investigation Unit.
State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
This is the second deadly snowmobile accident that has occurred in the Adirondacks so far this season.
On February 1st a 2024 Polaris 650, operated by 39-=year-old Steven J. Fernandez of Saddlebrook, New Jersey, was traveling west on the Adirondack Rail Trail in Franklin County, NY, when he lost control, exited the trail, and went down a steep embankment, striking multiple trees.
You can read more about that accident here.
Read about the history of snowmobiling in the Adirondacks.
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