The festive atmosphere that accompanied heavy snow falls in Sammamish over the past week turned to tragedy on Sunday, when a 40-year-old local woman was run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle.

According to the Sammamish Police Department, the woman was riding a snowmobile on Sunday afternoon on private property on the 100 block of 228th Ave SE when she lost control of the snowmobile and traveled down an embankment, crossing the southbound lanes of 228th.

The snowmobile collided with a metal utility pole.

The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the snowmobile.

She came to rest in the northbound lanes of 228th, in the path of a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder heading north.

The 39-year-old male driver of the Pathfinder took evasive action, but was unable to avoid hitting the woman.

According to police, the left front tire of the Nissan drove across the mid-section of the woman.

At the time of the accident, the roadway was obscured by heavy snow.

Both persons involved are residents of Sammamish.

The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries, including a broken pelvis.

As of Tuesday afternoon her condition had improved.

Unit Supervisor for the Major Accident Reconstruction and Response (MARR) Unit, Sergeant Thad Frampton, said on Tuesday there were no indications that the driver of the Pathfinder was responsible for the accident.

“It does not appear that alcohol or the speed of the Nissan Pathfinder were factors,” he said.

Sgt. Frampton said that the accident was a reminder to all people to take extra care with their holiday activities in the snow.

“It is important to remember that sledding or snowmobiling on or near roadways is inherently dangerous,” he said, before adding that snowmobiling on public roads was illegal.