On Friday, October 1, 2021, at approximately 9:26 AM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received several calls reporting a deceased subject in a gravel pit located at W11422 County Road A-T in the Town of Maplehurst, Taylor County.
Taylor County Detectives, along with Owen-Withee Fire and EMS were dispatched to the scene. Emergency responders found a male subject entrapped in a hopper, covered in gravel. Emergency responders worked to extricate the male subject and once extricated, it was determined that the male subject was deceased. The male subject was identified as 25-year-old Nickolas Soczka of Lublin, Wisconsin.
Preliminary investigation indicates the male was working in the gravel pit and at some point, entered the hopper bin. Once inside the hopper bin, the gravel collapsed around the male, trapping him.
Preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner’s Office indicates the subject died from asphyxiation due to injuries sustained from the incident. No foul play is suspected at this time.
