On August 6, 2024, at 3:44 pm, the St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center received a call reporting a motor vehicle crash with injuries located in the intersection on STH 65 at CTH J in the Town of Kinnickinnic.
Upon arrival, deputies found a 2004 Honda motorcycle crashed in the north bound lane of STH 65. Life saving measures were being performed on the motorcycle driver by citizens and officers from the River Falls Police Department, which had been requested to assist the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.
From witnesses and evidence at the scene, it appeared the motorcycle had been traveling north on STH 65, and was operated by Bill E. Lockhart, age 41, from Roberts, WI. Mr. Lockhart was following a GMC Sierra truck, being operated by Christopher M. Platson, age 36, from Woodville, WI. As the GMC Sierra began to make a right-hand turn (east bound) on to CTH J, a 2020 Freightliner straight truck, which had been traveling west on CTH J and had stopped at the stop sign, pulled into the intersection. The Freightliner was operated by David Jesus Herrera Gonzalez, age 30, from Baldwin, WI. As Mr. Lockhart continued north bound, he struck the side of the Freightliner truck that was now in the intersection. As a result of that collision, the Freightliner spun and struck the GMC Sierra truck, and both of those vehicles came to rest in the southeast ditch.
The operator of the motorcycle, Bill E. Lockhart, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the St. Croix County Medical examiner. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Mr. Platson and Mr. Herrera Gonzalez were both wearing seatbelts. They were not injured in the crash. The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the River Falls Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, River Falls Fire Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, St Croix County Highway Department, Allina EMS and the St. Croix County Medical Examiner. Traffic on STH 65 was detoured during this incident. This marks the fourth fatality recorded by St. Croix County in 2024.
The crash remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.
