A tragic UTV crash on the Pecatonica Trail in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, has left a Kewanee woman dead. As reported by the Monroe Times in Monroe, Wisconsin, authorities say the accident occurred Saturday, May 3, 2025, evening near Brunton Lane in the Town of Kendall. Keith L. Konczak of Utica, Illinois, lost control of a 2024 Kawasaki UTV, which then overturned into the river. Passenger Wendy S. Baele of Kewanee was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Konczak was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released. Investigators cite alcohol, speed, and careless operation as factors. The incident remains under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. Once the investigation is completed, the case will be forwarded to the Lafayette County District Attorney’s Office.
The press release, as quoted in the Monroe Times article, “The investigation of the crash determined that a 2024 Kawasaki UTV being operated by Keith L. Konczak (50) of Utica, IL, was travelling eastbound on the Pecatonica Trail when Konczak lost control of the UTV,” Gill stated. “The UTV left the trail and overturned into the river near bridge #59. The passenger in the UTV, Wendy S. Baele (55), of Kewanee, IL, was found unresponsive upon arrival of first responding units. Life saving measures were taken by Belmont EMS, Southwest Health Ambulance Service as well as UW Medflight medical team. Unfortunately, Wendy Baele was declared dead at the scene.”