DUNN COUNTY, WI — A tragic single-vehicle crash in the quiet, rural Town of Springbrook has claimed the life of 36-year-old Jake Wagner, a resident from the Durand area, according to the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred on Saturday night, July 19, 2025, at approximately 9:25 p.m., on 960th Street just south of 1010th Street. Authorities say they received a 911 call reporting a vehicle on fire with one person inside. By the time first responders arrived, the flames had been mostly extinguished by quick-thinking bystanders, though the Jeep involved sustained significant damage and had come to rest in a ditch after striking a tree.
When deputies reached the vehicle, they found Wagner deceased inside the wreckage. He was the sole occupant of the Jeep.
Preliminary Findings
Initial investigation suggests that the crash may have been the result of a mechanical failure, causing Wagner to lose control of the vehicle. Investigators believe the Jeep then left the roadway, entered the ditch, partially rolled, and came to a stop after hitting a tree. While the fire was thankfully limited to one tire and did not spread to the full vehicle, the impact and damage proved fatal.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the exact circumstances of the crash, but foul play is not suspected. The Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting with the investigation and will determine the official cause of death.
Remembering Jake Wagner
News of Jake Wagner’s untimely death has left family, friends, and the Durand-area community reeling. A father, son, and friend to many, Jake was known as someone who lived life with purpose and passion. Whether he was out hunting in the backwoods, helping a neighbor fix a truck, or laughing over a bonfire with loved ones, he left a warm impression wherever he went.
“He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back,” said one friend. “He loved the outdoors, loved his people, and had a heart that was as big as the sky.”
Wagner’s passing marks another heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be—even on the quietest roads. Friends describe him as mechanically inclined and cautious behind the wheel, which makes the suspected mechanical failure that much more tragic.
Community Response
In the hours and days following the crash, community members have left flowers and candles near the site along 960th Street. A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends to support Wagner’s family with funeral expenses and honor his memory.
The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences in a statement, thanking the bystanders who attempted to help and reiterating the importance of routine vehicle safety checks, especially for those traveling alone on rural roads.
Final Words
As the sun set on the wooded backroads of Springbrook that night, the community lost a hardworking, loyal, and big-hearted man. While the investigation continues, Jake Wagner’s life is being remembered not for how it ended—but for how fully it was lived.
His absence leaves a hole in the lives of all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the stories shared and the love he gave so freely.
Anyone with additional information about the crash is asked to contact the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office.
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