Man killed in Harvard snowmobile crash

A man was killed when a snowmobile crashed into a tree early Wednesday in northwest suburban Harvard.

Brandon J. Shields, 32, was driving the snowmobile when it slammed into the tree shortly after 1 a.m. in the 4400 block of Pagles Road in Harvard, according to a statement from the McHenry County coroner’s office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner’s office said Shields, who lived in Harvard, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. An autopsy Thursday found he died of blunt trauma to the head, spine chest and abdomen.

Routine toxicology testing is pending and Illinois Conservation Police is investigating the crash.