Two snowmobilers died in separate accidents in western Wyoming in late January, officials said. The incidents, occurring within four days of each other, have prompted a somber message from Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) urging caution in the backcountry.
On January 26, TCSAR responded to a call regarding a snowmobile crash near Togwotee Pass. A man and a woman were riding the same snowmobile when they collided with a tree while traveling off-trail as part of a small guided group. The man, later identified as Joshua Dillon Escamilla, 31, went into cardiac arrest and died from his injuries. The woman, who was unresponsive but breathing, was airlifted to a hospital in Idaho.
Just three days prior, on January 23, TCSAR responded to two separate snowmobile crashes along Granite Creek Road, one of which proved fatal. Edith Linares Pike, 32, of Stamford, Connecticut, died after striking a tree. According to Teton County Coroner Brent Blue, Pike’s cause of death was head and neck trauma. A second rider involved in a crash on the same day sustained a severe leg injury after rolling approximately 30 feet down an embankment.
The recent tragedies bring the total number of fatalities TCSAR has responded to this winter to four, with two occurring in a three-day span. The organization acknowledged the challenging conditions and expressed sympathy to the families and friends affected by the losses.
“All of us at TCSAR offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected by this tragedy,” TCSAR wrote on Facebook. “This has been a challenging winter so far for our mountain community. TCSAR has responded to four fatalities, with two coming in the last three days.”
TCSAR emphasized the importance of safety when venturing into the backcountry, regardless of the objective’s size. “We know that accidents happen and that we all make mistakes,” a statement from the organization read. “This message is not intended to shame or judge anyone. Just please remember that when you take on a backcountry objective—no matter how big or small—the most important thing is to make sure you come home at the end of the day. Be safe out there, everyone.”
Coroner Blue echoed the sentiment, urging snowmobilers to exercise caution given the current conditions. The cause of death for Escamilla is still pending determination.
The Togwotee Mountain Pass area, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a popular destination for winter recreation and attracts visitors, including celebrities. The 7-mile trail where Escamilla and his passenger crashed is described as snow-covered until July with “thick vegetation” on both sides.
Pike, an accounting graduate, had recently married her husband, Jonny, approximately three years before the accident. She was remembered by her family for her selfless love and unwavering kindness. Escamilla’s family in Florida has been notified.
