By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
A 72-year-old Franksville retiree died in the early morning hours Sunday following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 75 in Kansasville.
Larry Burchell was traveling south on Highway 75 at about 5 a.m. Sunday morning when the driver of a Ford Escape coming the opposite direction allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, according to the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
Burchell could not avoid the crash, and ended up trapped in his vehicle in a ditch. His vehicle then caught fire.
The Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call but by the time they got to the scene, Burchell’s vehicle was completely engulfed.
Burchell was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the other vehicle were treated by Kansasville Fire and transported for further medical attention.
According to Sheriff’s Department public information officer Steve Sikora, the crash remains under investigation, and the names of the occupants of the Escape are not being release.
Sikora did confirm that a blood draw was done for analysis, as per standard law enforcement procedure.
He added that any criminal charges will be the district attorney’s decision once the investigation is complete.
According to an online obituary listed with Miller-Reesman funeral home, Burchell had retired after 48 years as a maintenance supervisor at Maple Leaf Farms.
He continued to work after his retirement, helping his son, Stacy, with his business. He was survived by his wife, Darlene, his son and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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