On July 4 at approximately 2:40 p.m., the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 report of a crash between a passenger car and an ATV. The location of the crash was on Heineman Road east of Kelly Lane in the town of Schley.
Russell First Responders/Fire Department, Merrill EMS and deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Per the investigation, the ATV operated by Jeffrey D. Arseneau, 38, was traveling eastbound on Heineman Road at a high rate of speed while the passenger car operated by Shane A. Kanapka, 20, was traveling westbound. Due to a hill in the road, Kanapka did not observe the ATV as he attempted to turn into a driveway on the south side of the road, turning in front of the ATV. The ATV struck the passenger car, causing Arseneau to be ejected from the ATV. The ATV rolled several times and then started on fire.
Arseneau was flown to Aspirus Wausau Hospital due to his injuries, while Kanapka received minor cuts due to the airbags deploying.
Arseneau was wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation and alcohol does not appear to be a factor.