Kenosha County, Wisconsin-A quiet Sunday morning in Kenosha County turned tragic when Leonard A. Lois, a 78-year-old lifelong Wheatland resident, was killed in a devastating collision between his pickup truck and a southbound train.
The fatal crash occurred around 10:45 A.M. on August 3rd at a private farm access road that intersects with the Canadian National Railway tracks near the 3300 block of CTH W / 328th Avenue. The crossing, while marked with a stop sign, lacks modern safety features such as crossing gates, lights, or audible alarms—conditions that are common on private farm roads but pose significant dangers.
A Life Lost in an Instant
According to initial reports from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Leonard Lois was driving westbound on the private access road when his vehicle was struck by the passing train. Despite rapid and coordinated emergency response from multiple local fire departments, rescue services, and Flight for Life, Mr. Lois was pronounced dead at the scene due to catastrophic injuries.
He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
A Community in Grief
Sheriff David W. Zoerner released a statement following the tragedy:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Leonard Lois. This is a heartbreaking day for the Wheatland community. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time of profound sorrow.”
Leonard Lois wasn’t just a name on a report — he was a well-known and respected figure in Wheatland, deeply tied to the town’s rural fabric. Friends and neighbors describe him as a quiet pillar of the community: a man who worked the same land for decades, always offering a wave from his tractor, a word of wisdom, or a helping hand when someone needed it.
Remembering Leonard A. Lois
Leonard’s legacy is one of hard work, humility, and deep family roots. He lived a life of purpose, raising crops, tending to livestock, and building a home where generations of family gathered. He was proud of where he came from and found joy in the simplicity of honest labor and the beauty of the land.
“Leonard was the kind of man who didn’t need a lot of words,” a family friend shared. “He showed you who he was by how he lived — with patience, with love, and with an unwavering dedication to the people around him.”
A Dangerous Crossing, A Sobering Reminder
The crossing where the accident occurred is legally compliant as a private railway intersection but lacks active safety measures. Investigators from the Canadian National Railway Police and KCSO continue to analyze the conditions surrounding the crash. Authorities stress the need for extreme caution at rural crossings and are urging all drivers — especially those using private farm roads — to treat railroad tracks with the highest vigilance.
Support for the Grieving
In the wake of this tragedy, local officials are reminding community members that grief support services are available through the Kenosha Human Development Services Crisis Line, which operates 24/7 at 262-657-7188.
A Final Farewell
As news of Leonard’s passing spreads, neighbors and longtime friends are preparing to pay their respects. Plans for a public memorial or celebration of life are expected to be announced by the Lois family in the coming days.
In Leonard A. Lois, Wheatland loses a son of the soil — a man whose quiet strength and lifelong dedication helped shape the community. His absence will be deeply felt in every field, every tractor path, and every heart that knew him.
Rest in peace, Leonard. May your fields be golden and your memory eternal.