Minocqua man seriously injured in snowmobile crash

A 22 year-old Minocqua man was seriously injured in a snowmobile accident in Hazelhurst late Monday night. 

According to a press release from the Oneida County sheriff’s office released Tuesday, the dispatch center received a report just before 9 a.m. of a snowmobile accident on McCormick Lake.

The snowmobile’s operator, Jake Van Hefty, was found unconscious from injuries sustained “from what is believed to be a single-vehicle accident.” 

Law enforcement personnel and firefighters from the Minocqua and Hazelhurst departments established and secured a landing zone for a medical helicopter in the parking lot of The Watering Hole near County Highway Y, and Van Hefty was flown from the scene to an area hospital. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is conducting an investigation of the crash.

Van Hefty is the son of Heather and Pat Van Hefty.

According to a message Heather Van Hefty posted to the website Caring Bridge on Feb. 11, the family had just returned from a trip.

“Anxious to enjoy the snow, Jake must have decided to take a little ride last night (Monday) when he got home,” Heather Van Hefty wrote. “His snowmobile struck a tree near McCormick Lake and was discovered this morning (Tuesday).”

In the Caring Bridge post, she explained that Jake was flown to Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, where he will be staying unless, she said, it’s determined he can receive better care elsewhere.

In addition to a head injury, other injuries Jake Van Hefty sustained include a broken arm, collapsed lungs, neck fractures and perforated liver. 

“This is the hardest thing we have ever been through but we know that Jake is incredibly stubborn, strong, healthy and resilient and that will carry him through what is ahead,” Heather Van Hefty wrote. 

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at bjopek@lakelandtimes.com.