San Diego woman killed in Alpine snowmobile accident

A California woman was identified as the victim of a fatal snowmobile accident at Blue Lakes that occurred Wednesday afternoon.

Patricia Warren of San Diego was driving an Arctic Cat Snowmobile with a passenger, when she lost control at 2:57 p.m. and hit a tree at the Blue Lakes snow park.

The passenger received major injuries in the accident.

Alpine County Sheriff's deputies and search and rescue personnel responded to the accident, as did the California Highway Patrol, Lake Valley Fire Protection Service and the Woodfords Volunteer Fire Department.

the accident occurred about 12 miles from the Blue Lakes access road, according to Sgt. Ron Michitarian of the Alpine County Sheriff's Office.

"That made rescue difficult," he said. "Emergency crews responded with snowmobiles and a snow cat to reach the victims."

Warren was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger was flown by California Highway Patrol helicopter to Renown Medical Center in Reno, where she was treated and released.