UTV crash on Lake Winnebago claims one life, injures another

On Saturday, February 1st 2025, at approximately 12:25 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call from a reporting party stating they were on Lake Winnebago approximately ¼ mile north of Lakeside Park in the Town of Fond du Lac. The reporting party went onto say that they were with two people who had fallen into open water, were able to get them out of the water and onto the ice, but one of the subjects had no pulse and was not breathing. Deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene, along with personnel from the City of Fond du Lac Police Department, City of Fond du Lac Fire Department, and the Fond du Lac County SARC (Sheriff’s Amphibious Rescue Craft).

Upon investigation, it was determined that a UTV being driven by a 56-year-old male from the City of Fond du Lac was out driving on the ice on Lake Winnebago with a passenger, a 67-year-old male from the Town of Taycheedah.

The UTV was traveling southbound on the ice when it entered open water. Both males were able to exit the UTV but were in the water for approximately 20 minutes before bystanders noticed them and helped them out of the water onto the ice.

A deputy and a City of Fond du Lac Police Officer were given a ride by a bystander in a UTV to the scene but were unable to reach the involved individuals due to an active crack in the ice and 15-20 feet of open water. They provided guidance and an AED to the good Samaritans that were still helping the driver and passenger of the UTV.

Eventually, the Fond du Lac County SARC with City of Fond du Lac Fire personnel arrived on scene and transported both the driver and passenger to shore. Both the driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to St. Agnes Hospital and life-saving measures were performed on the 67-year-old male but he was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The 56-year-old driver was treated for hypothermic related symptoms. Both the driver and the passenger were wearing their seatbelts but did not have helmets or flotation devices. Unfamiliarity with where the active crack was, which was marked with downed Christmas trees, appears to be a factor in the crash.

Assisting agencies included City of Fond du Lac Ambulance, City of Fond du Lac Police Department, and the Wisconsin DNR. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that the ice is never 100% safe and to be vigilant with the changing ice conditions.