By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Matthew Gardner had a smile that could light up a room, said one friend Saturday.
That smile, so often given out by a man affectionately known as “Goof” and “Goofy,” was taken away early Saturday morning in a one-car accident on Highway W in front of Browns Lake Golf Course.
Gardner’s vehicle hit a utility pole and police and rescue were summoned to the scene at about 12:50 a.m. Saturday morning. Gardner was eventually extracted from the vehicle, but was later pronounced dead at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington.
Racine County Medical Examiner Michael Payne said Tuesday that the preliminary cause of death was internal injuries to the head. He indicated that Gardner was pronounced shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Payne also said that Gardner had been thrown backward into the rear of the vehicle, and the head injury was consistent with being thrown backward, headfirst.
In a press release issued by the City of Burlington police department Saturday, the cause of the crash was listed as under investigation by the department with the assistance of the Wisconsin State Patrol. Payne added that toxicology results from the autopsy – which cover everything from prescribed drugs to alcohol – would likely take 10 weeks.
“The cause of the accident is still under investigation,” City Police Chief Peter Nimmer said Tuesday. “There’s a lot of things we’re still looking at.”
As the news filtered out Saturday, friends and family began making their way to the accident site on Highway W, leaving flowers, writing on a hand-made wooden cross, and stopping to pay their respects.
Since the accident, Gardner’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages from friends, as well as memorable photos.
“I left flowers for you and while I was there I was so caught up in the moment that I forgot to put “WOOOW!” said one poster, named Ashley Marie.
A poster by the name of Kendal Sanderson said, “I have been stopping by Matthew Goofy Gardner’s Facebook page and have seen the comments that have been said about him. The wonderful, unique things everyone has to say about him is just astonishing. Just goes to show you how great a guy Goofy was and how loved he is by so many.
“See you soon, Goof.”
Gardner was a regular at Lucky Mojos in Burlington, and the staff knew him well – and adored him.
“He was one of the most kindest kids you could ever meet,” said bartender Sam Bent. “He had a good rep in Burlington.
“He was a joyful person to be around,” she added. “Even if he wasn’t drinking, he came in with friends.”
When she found out Saturday morning, disbelief set in.
“I didn’t believe it,” Bent said. “Nobody believed it. Nobody did. All of us bartenders are very, very close to ‘Goof.’
“It’s just weird coming into the bar, and not seeing him smile.”
The bar was scheduled to close from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday to allow staff to attend the services and the memorial.
Eric Dawson, the owner of Lucky Mojos, said it was something the bar could do, not just for his staff, but for those needing to say goodbye in the small community.
“Small town connections,” said Dawson. “It was a good thing we could do.”
-
-
-
-
-