Car Drives Off Merrimac Ferry Landing, Driver Dies (AMENDED)

News Release

August 29, 2018

On August 28, 2018, at approximately 9:00 P.M., the Sauk County Communications Center was notified that a vehicle went off the Merrimac Ferry landing on Lake Wisconsin.  The preliminary investigation has revealed that Scott L. Kirkpatrick, age 57, from Middleton, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Trax southbound on STH 113 approaching the ferry landing.   It appears Kirkpatrick did not realize the road lead into the lake as the vehicle plunged into the lake.  Kirkpatrick and female passenger were able to get out of the vehicle.  The female swam to shore but Kirkpatrick was unable to make it to shore.  The Sauk County Dive Team recovered Kirkpatrick’s body and the vehicle.  The Sauk County Coroner pronounced Kirkpatrick dead at the scene.

This incident is not related to any flooding that has occurred in Sauk County.  Agencies assisting in the rescue include Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, Sauk County Dive and Rescue Team, Merrimac Fire and EMS, Prairie Du Sac Fire, Sauk Prairie EMS, Baraboo EMS, Wisconsin DNR, and Sauk County Coroner’s Office.

The incident remains under investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office and the Sauk County Coroner’s Office.

Sheriff Chip Meister