William Arnow, 33 of Stamford, Connecticut, died Tuesday night after his snowmobile hit a utility pole beside ITS 89 in Dallas Plantation, a Warden Service spokesman said. Maine Warden Service photo

DALLAS PLANTATION — A Connecticut man was killed in a snowmobile crash Tuesday night on ITS 89, according to Mark Latti, spokesman for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

William Arnow, 33 of Stamford, Connecticut, was operating a 2019 Ski Doo MXZ in the Franklin County plantation east of Rangeley when he crashed into a powerline pole along the trail about 10:30 p.m., Latti wrote in a news release.

Arnow and a friend were out for a quick ride on separate snowmobiles and had just turned around to return to their property rental in Rangeley when the friend noticed there no longer were snowmobile headlights behind him, Latti said.

After turning around and backtracking, he found Arnow lying unresponsive on the side of the trail, with the snowmobile crashed against the pole. He called 911 and performed CPR until the Maine Warden Service, Rangeley Police Department and Emergency Service Personnel arrived. Arnow passed away at the scene and was taken to Wiles Funeral Home in Farmington, according to Latti’s report.

The preliminary investigation by the Warden Service indicates that after Arnow turned around, he traveled a short way before hitting the power line pole head-on. Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, Lattie said. Arnow was wearing a helmet.

Rangeley Fire Rescue Chief Michael Bacon said Rangeley officer Tyler Fournier was first on the scene. When firefighters arrived, there was nothing that could be done, Bacon said.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by the Rangeley Police Department, Rangeley Fire Rescue Department, U.S. Border Patrol, and NorthStar EMS ambulance personnel.