WARSAW, N.Y. — A cold afternoon on a winding private snowmobile trail turned tragic when 17‑year‑old Steven Gregoire of Sheldon lost control of his snowmobile this past Sunday and died from his injuries. The crash happened off Wilder Road in the town of Warsaw just before 12:15 p.m., officials say.
State Police say Gregoire was riding southbound on a clearly marked private trail when something went wrong. The machine veered off course and slammed into a pile of logs just off the trail. The impact threw him from the vehicle, and the snowmobile ultimately came to rest on top of him.
A friend, age 16, was following closely behind on his own machine and hit the same pile of logs. Like Gregoire, he was thrown off. Emergency crews say that rider was also seriously hurt and was taken to a trauma center, though officials have not yet released details on his condition.
People who were nearby heard the crash and dialed 911. They stayed at the scene and helped first responders tend to the injured teens until State Police and rescue personnel arrived.
Gregoire was rushed to Wyoming County Community Hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead shortly after he arrived. Authorities said they found no signs of foul play, and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to perform an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.
Local law enforcement stressed that the area where the crash happened can be unforgiving when riders lose control, especially when logs, stumps and other obstacles sit just beyond the groomed surfaces. Snowmobiling in upstate New York has a long tradition, but it also comes with risks that grow with speed, uneven terrain, and winter’s ever‑changing conditions.
Friends, family and fellow snowmobilers described Gregoire as a good‑hearted, carefree young man who loved being out on the trails with his buddies. Word of his death has spread through the tight‑knit community, and many locals are sharing memories of the teen’s warmth and adventurous spirit.
State Police said the investigation is ongoing, and they reminded riders to stay alert, wear helmets and know the limits of both machine and trail. Winter is still young, and they urged everyone to take extra care to stay safe while enjoying the season.
