This past Friday, a tragic tragedy occurred once more on Wisconsin’s roads: Brad Burdette, a 56-year-old native of East Troy, WI, lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Sawyer County. The accident happened in the tranquil rural hamlet of Lenroot, close to the crossroads of Phipps Road and Gouch Circle Road. Burdette’s family, friends, and the local community are now grieving over his passing.
The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary findings state that Brad Burdette was driving west on Phipps Road when, for an unknown cause, he drove off the road. His motorcycle kept going and eventually stopped several hundred feet into the northern ditch. Emergency personnel did their hardest to save Burdette, who tragically perished at the scene after being flung from the motorcycle after the incident. They arrived not long after the crash was reported. There are still unresolved issues regarding the specifics of the crash as officials do their investigation, including whether Burdette was wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time of the incident.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation data indicates that this accident is the 77th motorcycle-related death in Wisconsin in 2024. As more motorcycle deaths occur in Wisconsin, the public and state leaders are becoming increasingly concerned since every new occurrence exacerbates the emotional toll that Wisconsin’s communities are bearing. The terrible number of people killed in these collisions has reignited discussions about motorcycle safety, the value of protective gear like helmets, and the necessity of more enforcement of traffic laws.
The loss of a cherished member of the community has left Burdette’s family devastated as investigators work to piece together the events leading up to her death. Brad was well-known in East Troy as a gentle and understanding person, an accomplished rider who had dedicated a significant portion of his life to two-wheeling. Those who knew him will always miss him, and the shock of his departure has sparked vital discussions about the dangers that come with riding a motorcycle and the safety measures that riders may take.
