Wheeler man dies in motorcycle accident in Otter Creek
By LeAnn R. Ralph
TOWN OF OTTER CREEK — A 25-year-old Wheeler man died Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a car on county Highway S in the Town of Otter Creek.
Samuel Hayes was headed north on Highway S at around 12:44 p.m. August 14 and apparently was going to make a lefthand turn onto 570th Street and crossed into the southbound lane of Highway S and into the path of a car driven by Nicole Sorenson, 19, of Wheeler, according to a news release from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department.
The initial report indicated that the motorcycle operator was unresponsive. Dunn County deputies, the Colfax Rescue Squad, Dunn County first responders and Lifelink Helicopter were dispatched to the scene. After they arrived, it was determined that Hayes had died due to injuries sustained in the crash, according to the news release.
Hayes was wearing a helmet, and there were no other occupants on the motorcycle with him.
Sorenson was not injured during the accident, and she was the only occupant in the vehicle.
According to a sheriff’s department news release issued Monday afternoon, based on the investigation, Hayes traveled into Sorenson’s lane of travel, failed to yield and struck Sorenson’s car.
Sorenson will be cited for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, according to the news release.
Hayes was a 2010 graduate of Boyceville High School. He played football and wrestled while in high school. Hayes ranks third all-time for most wrestling wins at Boyceville and was named to the Dunn-St. Croix All Conference football first team as a linebacker when he was a senior in high school.
An obituary for Samuel E. Hayes is published elsewhere in this edition.
