Traffic fatality

Late night motorcycle crash results in county’s first fatal crash of 2021

On Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at approximately 12:10 p.m., the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a motorcycle accident with an unresponsive male who wasn’t breathing and was lying in the ditch approximately a quarter mile south of Hwy 64 on CTH E in the town of Hammel.

The caller further indicated it appeared the accident occurred sometime during the night. Taylor County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Medford Fire, Ambulance and Aspirus Medevac were dispatched.

Once emergency services arrived on scene it was determined that the driver of the motorcycle was deceased. The driver of the motorcycle has been identified as 49 year old Brian Rygiel of Chippewa Falls.

According to Taylor County Sheriff Larry Woebbeking, preliminary investigation indicates the accident occurred sometime shortly after 3 a.m. on June 22. Rygiel was southbound on CTH E and failed to negotiate a curve and drove into the ditch striking a tree.

Rygiel was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and alcohol is also believed to be a contributing factor.

Crash Location