HAZELHURST MAN DIES WHILE ASSISTING WITH VEHICLE STUCK ON ICE
On Tuesday, February 24, shortly after 12:30 PM a call was received by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office regarding a 73 yr old male being run over by a vehicle on the Willow Flowage in the Town of Little Rice. Life saving measures were administered immediately following the call, however the man succumbed to his injuries on scene.
Further investigation revealed the vehicle became stuck on the ice during a period of heavy snow and wind, resulting in whiteout conditions. The deceased, Randall G. Bernau of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, stepped onto the vehicle’s bumper in hopes of gaining better traction for the operator, 69-year-old Jeffrey Larson of Irma. According to investigators, Bernau fell from the bumper at some point before being run over as the truck backed up.
No charges will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office, as it was determined that neither alcohol nor recklessness were factors leading to this tragic accident. Assisting the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office On scene were personnel from the Little Rice Fire Department and the Oneida County Ambulance Service.
