BRISTOL, Wis. — A 57-year-old man, Brian D. Nielsen, died Wednesday evening, November 11, 2026, after his vehicle left Highway 45 and struck a tree in Kenosha County earlier that morning. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether Nielsen may have suffered a medical emergency before the crash.
According to a news release issued Thursday by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, the single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 9:52 a.m. Wednesday in the 9800 block of U.S. Highway 45. Investigators determined that Nielsen was driving a blue 2017 Ford Escape southbound when his vehicle left the roadway and entered the west ditch.
The SUV continued traveling through the ditch before striking a tree. Emergency responders from the Bristol Fire Department arrived and extricated Nielsen from the heavily damaged vehicle.
Nielsen was transported to the Kenosha County Center, where a Flight For Life helicopter was waiting to take him to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. He was hospitalized with serious injuries but died later that evening.
The Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office is examining whether Nielsen may have experienced a medical emergency before losing control of his vehicle. Authorities have not determined whether a medical condition contributed to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner expressed condolences to Nielsen’s family in a statement released Thursday by a Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Nielsen’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We are working to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic crash. We are grateful to the witnesses who stopped to assist and to Bristol Fire and Rescue, Flight For Life, and all emergency personnel who responded,” Zoerner said.
Authorities confirmed that Nielsen’s next of kin has been notified of his death. The Sheriff’s Office said no additional information is being released at this time.
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