DARLINGTON, Wis. — The community is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Mark A. Nelson, a 55-year-old man from Potosi, who was killed early Sunday morning in a UTV crash in the Town of Darlington.
According to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Wildcat Road. Investigators said Nelson was driving a 2025 Can-Am UTV eastbound when he failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, causing Nelson to be partially ejected.
Nelson, who was the only occupant of the UTV, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafayette County Coroner’s Office. Officials confirmed he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Emergency responders, including sheriff’s deputies, Darlington Fire Department, and Lafayette County EMS, were dispatched to the scene. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was also contacted and is leading the ongoing investigation with assistance from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office.
Friends, family, and loved ones are left grieving Nelson’s untimely passing. His death has cast a somber shadow over the community, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can be changed. As the investigation continues, many are remembering Nelson for the life he lived and the impact he had on those around him.