Buffalo Man Identified as Victim in Weekend Snowmobile Crash

The best Saturday for snowmobiling the area’s seen this year turned tragic in Silver Creek Townshiop for one Buffalo family.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on Jan. 11, the Wright County Sheriff's Office was notified of a snowmobile crash in the 9800 block of Endicott Avenue Northwest in Silver Creek Township.

The initial investigation shows Craig Peitz, 51, of Buffalo, was southbound on a trail running parallel to Endicott in the west ditch, driving a 2013 SkiDoo Renegade 800. Pietz was in control until he came over a hill, hit a snow crest and was thrown from the machine.

Peitz was taken to North Memorial Hospital via Air Care where he was later pronounced dead shortly before 4 p.m. Maple Lake Ambulance/Rescue and Allina Ambulance also responded to the scene.

Pietz was well-known in the area as the owner/operator of Gary’s Diesel Service, Loretto. He was a 1980 graduate of Buffalo High, and is survived by his wife, Bev, and son, Chad.  

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at United Methodist Church in Buffalo, with visitation hours 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church, and one hour prior to the service Friday.

The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office.