HAYWARD, Sawyer County, Wis., Oct. 23, 2026 — A Springbrook man died on Thursday morning, October 22, after his SUV collided with a loaded logging semi-trailer on U.S. Highway 63 near Hayward. The crash happened at the entrance to Select Excavating in the Town of Hayward.
The sheriff's office said it received a report of the crash at 6:52 a.m. Deputies, Sawyer County EMS, Wisconsin State Patrol, Town of Hayward police and the Town of Hayward Fire Department all responded to the scene.
Investigators said a semi-tractor pulling a loaded log trailer was pulling out of Select Excavating and entering the northbound lane of US-63. A Honda CR-V traveling in the left southbound lane struck the rear axles of the log trailer.
The CR-V's driver, a 50-year-old man from Springbrook, was the only person in the vehicle and died from his injuries. The truck driver, a 65-year-old man from Glidden, was not hurt.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Sawyer County Medical Examiner.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
More on Crashes in Hayward, WI
This fatal crash happened on Highway 63 in Hayward, WI. We cover crashes across Sawyer County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Sawyer County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wearing a seat belt really make a difference in a crash like this? Yes. A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned where restraint systems are designed to work and cuts the risk of being thrown from a seat or ejected during a collision, which usually determines whether injuries are survivable.
What should a family do after a loved one dies in a crash? It helps to request the official crash report once it's released, contact the medical examiner's office with questions about the process, and keep a record of any agency case numbers for future reference.
How do investigators piece together what happened in a fatal crash like this? Officers typically document the scene, measure skid marks and vehicle positions, interview witnesses and involved drivers, and sometimes pull data from vehicle systems to reconstruct how the collision occurred.
How long does a fatal-crash investigation usually take? Timelines vary widely. Some cases close within a few weeks, but if toxicology results, crash reconstruction, or multiple agencies are involved, a final report can take several months.
What to Do After a Fatal Crash in Hayward, Wisconsin
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a serious crash on a rural highway should call 911 immediately and move to a safe location away from traffic if possible. Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation afterward can catch injuries that aren't immediately obvious. Keep any paperwork from responding agencies, including incident or case numbers, since you may need them later to request official reports. For families waiting on information, reaching out directly to the sheriff's office or medical examiner is usually the fastest way to get accurate updates as the investigation moves forward.
