UPDATE:
The Burnett County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that Seargent Kurt Kowarsch of the Forest Lake Police was the victim of the UTV crash. Kowarsch was a 14-year-veteran of the force.
A gofundme has been set up to help cover funeral costs.
From the Burnett County Sheriff's Office:
"On August 21, 2021, at 8:49 p.m. the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a UTV crash on Tower Rd in the Town of Swiss. Burnett County Deputies, Danbury Fire Department, Wisconsin DNR, St. Croix Tribal Police, Webster Police, and North Ambulance responded at approximately 8:50 pm to a 2021 Honda UTV that was on fire in the ditch on Tower Rd.
It appeared that the vehicle had lost control going northbound and struck multiple trees on the driver’s side prior to starting on fire. The lone occupant was pronounced dead at the scene by the Burnett County Medical Examiner’s Office. The preliminary autopsy report shows that the male occupant was deceased prior to the UTV starting on fire.
We would like to thank the many citizens that located the crash and assisted, as well as all the named responding agencies. Identification of the driver is still pending investigation."
