Fatal Accident in the Township of Honey Creek

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 2, 2010

On Thursday, December 02, 2010, at about 1:37 a.m., a Sauk County Sheriff’s Deputy discovered a one vehicle accident on CTH C east of Hemlock Rd, in the Township of Honey Creek. The deputy initially discovered one person inside the vehicle with non life threatening injuries. While attempting to render aid, the deputy discovered a second person lying unresponsive on the ground near the vehicle with life threatening injuries.

The initial investigation discovered that the accident happened about 30 minutes prior to the deputy’s arrival. Pickarts had been traveling east bound on CTH C when he traveled over the center line while negotiating a curve and traveled onto the shoulder. Pickarts over corrected his steering and the vehicle traveled back across CTH C and into the south ditch where it overturned. The passenger was ejected and the vehicle came to rest on a pile of logs that were stacked in a field.

Plain Fire Department, Plain EMS, Sauk Prairie EMS, and a Med Flight helicopter responded to the scene. Both occupants were transported to Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital via ambulance. The operator of the vehicle, JAMES PICKARTS, age 55, of North Freedom, was treated and eventually released from the hospital. The passenger succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital.

Pickarts has been tentatively charged with Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle. Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

________________________
Chief Deputy Chip Meister

**************UPDATE***********

The passenger has been identified as Tyler J. Mazerek, age 19 of Sauk City, WI.  The investigation is continuing  by the Sauk County Sheriff's Office.