Tragic Fatal Collision in Kenosha County: 78‑Year‑Old Wheatland Man Killed in Train vs. Pickup Truck Crash

Tragic Fatal Collision in Kenosha County: 78‑Year‑Old Wheatland Man Killed in Train vs. Pickup Truck Crash

Incident Overview

A devastating collision between a pickup truck and a train claimed the life of Leonard A. Lois, a 78‑year‑old resident of Wheatland, Wisconsin. The fatal crash occurred on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., on a private farm access road near County Highway W and 328th Avenue (County Hwy W/45th St) in the Town of Wheatland, Kenosha County

Location and Road Conditions

The pickup truck was traveling westbound on a private farm service road that intersects with the Canadian National Railway mainline. At this location, the road is marked with a stop sign but does not have railway crossing gates, bells, or flashing lights—a known vulnerability at rural crossings of this type

Sequence of Events

Leonard Lois drove his pickup truck across the tracks at this ungated intersection when it collided with a southbound train operated by Canadian National. The collision occurred just as the truck entered the track’s path. Emergency dispatchers were notified around 10:45 a.m., and first responders were already nearby for a coinciding training event, which may have helped secure a fast response

Emergency Response

Multiple agencies — including local fire and rescue teams from Wheatland, Twin Lakes, Randall, Bristol, Somers, Pleasant Prairie, and even Richmond, Illinois — responded to the scene. The Canadian National Railway Police and Flight for Life also arrived promptly  Despite rapid response and transport efforts, Leonard Lois was pronounced dead at the scene as the sole occupant of the pickup truck

Victim Identificatio

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the identity of the deceased as Leonard A. Lois, a longtime Wheatland resident aged 78. The office extended its condolences to his family and friends and thanked all agencies that aided in the response and investigation

Investigation and Follow‑Up

Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the collision. They are examining factors such as visibility, signage, and the design of the crossing, though no specific cause has yet been made public. Toxicology or impairment has not been cited as a contributing factor at this stage

Local Context

Wheatland is a sparsely populated town in Kenosha County—home to around 3,400 residents as of the 2020 census—where several rural roads intersect train tracks, often without active warning systems  Such crossings have historically been associated with increased risk, heightening concern over safety measures like flashing signals or gates.

🔍 Key Takeaways & Wider Significance

Community and Safety Implications

This incident underscores the vulnerabilities at rural railroad crossings lacking active warning systems. The absence of flashing lights or gates means drivers must rely solely on signage and personal vigilance—particularly risky when visibility is compromised or vehicle speed is high.

The prompt multi-agency response speaks to coordinated preparedness, especially given the serendipitous proximity of responders due to a separate training event. Despite that, the outcome tragically could not be reversed.

Local authorities may face renewed calls to assess infrastructure and safety at ungated crossings—especially those on private or lesser-traveled roads—to prevent similar fatal accidents in future.

Conclusion

On August 3, 2025, in the Town of Wheatland, a fatal collision between a pickup truck and a train resulted in the death of Leonard A. Lois, age 78. As investigations continue into the crossing conditions and crash circumstances, the incident highlights pressing safety concerns at rural grade crossings and the critical importance of improving warning systems in such areas.