Fargo man dies in Minn. snowmobile accident

Published On: Dec 27 2012 09:44:25 AM CST   Updated On: Dec 27 2012 10:03:33 AM CST
PELICAN RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) -

A Fargo, N.D., man has died in a snowmobile accident near Pelican Rapids in western Minnesota.

The Otter Tail County sheriff's office says Jerome Kotalik was driving a snowmobile at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at a residence when he lost control and fell off, striking his head on a parked snowmobile trailer. Kotalik was not wearing a helmet and suffered a traumatic head injury.

Authorities say Kotalik was taking the snowmobile out for a short warm-up and likely intended to put on a helmet before going out for a longer ride with others. Helmets were sitting out at the scene.

The sheriff's office says it suspects a mechanical failure in the throttle caused the snowmobile to speed up and throw him.

Pelican Rapids is about 35 miles southeast of Fargo.

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