A collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck in Martell Township left a motorcycle rider wounded and his wife—the passenger—dead.
The incident occurred in the town of Martell a little after 8:00 in the evening on Saturday, March 17. The location was about eight miles east of Highway 65 and three miles north of County Road J. Emergency personnel, including Ellsworth Area Fire, Ambulance, and Paramedics, had been alerted by radio that both the motorcycle’s driver and passenger were seriously injured.
Law enforcement officials subsequently identified the injured couple as Glen and Julie Nelson, of Hammond, Wisconsin. They were both evacuated from the crash site by helicopter and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Julie Nelson, 47, died of her injuries the following day. Her husband Glen, 48, remains in serious condition.
Both of the Nelsons were wearing motorcycle helmets at the time of the accident.
Based on evidence at the scene, Pierce County officials say the Nelsons were traveling northbound on 650th Street. They were thrown from their motorcycle when a pickup truck coming from the opposite direction collided with their vehicle.
At the time of the crash, the driver of the pickup truck was turning into his driveway on 650th Street in Martell Township. He was arrested for suspected drunken driving by a sheriff’s deputy on Saturday night. Law enforcement records identify the man as George D. Budd, age 54. He was jailed briefly and has since been released. He was not injured in the collision.
The crash remains under investigation from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The Appleton personal injury lawyers of Hupy and Abraham express our condolences to friends and family of the Nelsons. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.