Man's snowmobile death a safety reminder

Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said toxicology reports taken during an autopsy Monday showed a man who died in a snowmobile accident had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal threshold for drunken driving.

Guy Velasquez, 33, died late Saturday or early Sunday from multiple injuries following a snowmobile accident. He was discovered on Carol Court in Round Lake Beach by a homeowner at about 8:30 Sunday morning, Keller said.

Keller said Velasquez had a blood alcohol level of 0.3, above the .08 legal threshold in Illinois.

Velasquez, whose last known address was Round Lake Beach, hit several small trees in a residential neighborhood, said Bill Rohrs, captain of the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District.

By the numbers:

• 19 -- The number of reported snowmobile-related accidents recorded in Illinois during the winter of 2006-07.

• 3 -- The number of reported snowmobile-related deaths recorded in Illinois during the winter of 2006-07.

• 12 to 16 -- The age where drivers must have a valid, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Safety Education Certificate of Competency to operate a snowmobile alone. People older than 16 can drive without a certificate.

• 2 -- The number of state certified safety courses in Lake County open for registration. They are on Jan. 5 and Jan. 19 in Wauconda.

• 4 inches -- The lowest amount of snow on trails to ensure safe passage.

• 7 inches -- The minimum thickness of clear ice on frozen lakes needed to safely ride. Black ice is a sign that the lake is not safe to ride on.

Safety:

• Alcohol and snowmobiling do not mix.

• Know your equipment and make sure it is in proper working order.

• Wear sensible and protective clothing designed specifically for snowmobiling. Those include a full-sized helmet, goggles or face shield to prevent injuries from twigs, stones, ice chips and flying debris.

• Avoid wearing long scarves that could get caught in the moving parts of the snowmobile.

• Know the terrain that will be ridden. If unfamiliar, ask someone who has traveled over it before setting out. Be aware of trails that may be closed.

• Drowning is a main cause of snowmobile fatalities. When not familiar with the thickness of the ice or current water currents avoid these areas.

• Know the weather forecast before setting out, especially the snow and ice conditions.

• Never ride alone or unaccompanied.

• Always enroll in a certified snowmobile safety course prior to going out for the first time. Course times and locations are listed on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Web site at dnr.state.il.us.