POLK COUNTY — A Centuria man died following a single-vehicle snowmobile crash Thursday night in the Town of Gordon, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
PRESS RELEASE
One person is dead as a result of a single-vehicle snowmobile crash in the Town of Gordon. The incident was called in to Douglas County 911 at 9:08 pm on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
This victim is identified as Marvin Sloper, 68, of Centuria, WI.
- Related: In Memory of Marvin R. Sloper
Sloper and two others were riding on Trail 35 southbound near Gordon at the bridge where the trail crosses the St. Croix River. Investigation indicates that Sloper's machine struck the guardrail on the bridge, and he was thrown from the machine into trees and down an embankment. His companions came upon his riderless machine in the middle of the trail south of the bridge, and they began to search for him.
It was initially thought he may have been thrown into the river. Gordon VFD and First Responders located him south of the bridge and brought him back up to the trail, where life-saving measures were unsuccessful.
The incident remains under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
—Per Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Last Update: Feb 02, 2026 9:45 am CST
