Authorities in the Morris County municipality of Jefferson Township are investigating a snowmobile crash that left one person dead overnight.
According to a preliminary investigation, at around 2 a.m., firefighters from Hopatcong and Jefferson searched a section of Lake Hopatcong near Nolans Point Park Road after they reportedly recovered the wreckage of a snowmobile at that location.
After a thorough search of the area, rescue and recovery crews located unconscious and unresponsive victim on the ice who medics pronounced dead at the scene reports said.
Authorities set up a crime scene where they began to look into what officially caused the crash.
**Jefferson Township Police UPDATED 11:24 am**: On Sunday morning at approximately 1:40 am, the Jefferson Township Police Department was requested to assist Hopatcong Police Department in attempting to locate a missing subject operating a snowmobile on Lake Hopatcong.
Authorities said, at around 2:30 am, police located the missing subject, with the assistance of Jefferson Township Fire Department Company #2 and Jefferson Township OEM.
A preliminary investigation by police revealed the snowmobile, operated by **Mr. Brian Petronaci, 39,** from Hopatcong Boro, struck a rock in the area of Liffy Island, which is located across from the Lake Forrest Yacht Club, causing his snowmobile to crash into trees. Police found Mr. Petronaci and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.