James Harms Obituary, Death – On Sunday evening, Lafayette County witnessed two separate ATV/UTV crashes that occurred within just 20 minutes of each other, one of which tragically claimed the life of a Monroe resident. The fatal incident took place shortly before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 11 and Phillips Lane. According to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, 51-year-old James Harms was operating a three-wheeled ATV when he lost control of the vehicle.
Authorities reported that the ATV veered off the trail, ejecting Harms. Emergency responders immediately called for a Medflight helicopter, but despite rapid arrival, both the flight surgeon and the county coroner pronounced Harms dead at the scene. Sheriff’s officials said the crash remains under investigation.
Chief Deputy Troy Loeffelholz explained that preliminary findings suggest Harms simply lost control of the machine, with no immediate signs of outside factors involved. He emphasized the importance of caution and safety when operating ATVs, noting that helmets and adherence to posted speed limits are crucial to minimizing risk. In Lafayette County, ATV routes have a posted speed limit of 30 mph, which is strictly enforced.
The second crash happened around 4:20 p.m., about 20 minutes later, on County Highway F. Officials said a Polaris UTV driven by 44-year-old Kyle Brunkow of Darlington collided with a 2025 Toyota driven by 65-year-old Greg Schulte, also of Darlington. According to the sheriff’s office, Brunkow was attempting to turn into a driveway when Schulte tried to pass, striking the UTV.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported in this second collision, and no one required hospital transport. However, Brunkow was arrested on charges of operating a UTV while intoxicated, marking his second offense. He was taken to the Lafayette County Jail, booked, and later released.
The two incidents drew response from multiple agencies, including Darlington Fire Department, Lafayette County EMS, Darlington Police Department, and personnel from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Loeffelholz commended the coordinated response but stressed again the necessity of helmet use and compliance with safety rules for all ATV and UTV riders.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal ATV and UTV accidents across Wisconsin in 2025. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, there have been 27 fatal crashes so far this year, including the death of a 12-year-old in an August 9 rollover accident in Wyocena. In comparison, the previous year saw 40 ATV/UTV-related deaths statewide.
Three-wheeled ATVs, like the one Harms was riding, are no longer commonly seen. The vehicles were banned from sale in the U.S. back in 1988 due to high accident rates and safety concerns. Before the ban, these machines had been linked to hundreds of thousands of injuries and more than a thousand fatalities nationwide between 1983 and 1988.
Sunday’s events serve as a sobering reminder of both the risks associated with ATV/UTV use and the importance of responsible, sober, and safety-conscious operation when out on the trails.
