What began as a Saturday evening ride in northwestern Wisconsin ended in tragedy when a UTV and a pickup collided at a rural intersection near Webster, killing three people and injuring a young driver.
Burnett County deputies said the UTV driver and both passengers died at the scene. The pickup driver, a 21-year-old man from Webster, was taken to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office identified the UTV driver as 69-year-old Gary Shreindl of Anoka and the passengers as 68-year-old Constance Klatt of Anoka and 69-year-old Debra Nye of Lodi, Ohio, according to Bring Me The News. The crash was reported around 6:38 p.m. at the intersection of County Highway A and Connors Bridge Road, northwest of Webster.
How The Crash Unfolded
According to the sheriff's office, the UTV did not stop at a stop sign on Connors Bridge Road and moved into the path of a westbound Dodge pickup on County Highway A, triggering the collision. The pickup briefly caught fire before crews put it out, and its driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, as reported by DrydenWire.
Response And Reconstruction
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was called in to help reconstruct the crash, and County Highway A was shut down for roughly five hours while investigators worked the scene. In its release, the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked local responders, including North Ambulance, Life Link Air Care, the Webster Fire Department and the county medical examiner, according to Bring Me The News.
Statewide Safety Context
Off-highway vehicle deaths remain a concern across Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources reports that 40 people have died in ATV and UTV crashes in 2024 and urges riders to complete DNR-approved safety courses and to always use seat belts and helmets. The agency cites inexperience and failure to use restraints as common factors in serious crashes and offers safety training resources on its website, per the Wisconsin DNR.
Investigation Ongoing
Burnett County officials say the crash remains under investigation and have not released further details about what else may have contributed. DrydenWire notes that the sheriff’s office has said no additional information will be released at this time and that authorities are asking the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
