Dispute Over Sisters' Snowmobile Deaths Can Go To Trial

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan appeals court says a jury should decide whether a snowmobile maker is responsible for the deaths of two sisters who plunged off a cliff on Mackinac Island.

Karen Schwarck and Edith Bonno died in 2010 when their snowmobile went into reverse and over the West Bluff. In a 2-1 decision Friday, the appeals court says there's enough evidence to have a jury decide whether a reverse alarm on the snowmobile was defective and whether it contributed to the deaths.

A Mackinac County judge had ruled in favor of Arctic Cat, saying he wasn't persuaded the snowmobile was in a silent reverse mode.

Appeals Court Judge Michael Riordan wanted to let that decision stand. He says there are different theories and a lot of speculation about what happened.

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