COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. - A 21-year-old northeastern Indiana man died when his snowmobile crashed into a wire fence enclosing a livestock pasture, conservation officers said.

Justin Hinen, of Columbia City, was pronounced dead at the scene in Whitley County about 2 a.m. Wednesday from what conservation officers say appears to have been blunt force trauma to the neck.

Hinen was traveling along a snow-covered county road just north of Columbia City with another snowmobile when he intentionally left the road and headed across a field.

Conservation officers say that after traveling a few hundred yards, Hinen's snowmobile struck a multi-stranded wire fence enclosing a livestock pasture. The driver of the other snowmobile saw the crash and immediately called 911.

An autopsy was scheduled to be conducted Wednesday on Hinen's body.

Columbia City is about 20 miles northwest of Fort Wayne.