Couple’s Dies On Highway 52 Life Crash In Wausau, WI Investigation
Wausau, Wisconsin, is once again reflecting on a deeply heartbreaking tragedy following the fatal Highway 52 head-on collision that claimed the lives of Shirley L. Erickson, 81, and Arlen Erickson, 82, a married couple cherished in their community. Recent legal developments have shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the crash, which occurred last fall and remains under active criminal investigation.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Marathon County Circuit Court on April 2 against 37-year-old Adam H. Borchardt of Antigo, investigators allege that a pickup truck crossed entirely into the opposite lane moments before impact. The collision occurred near Highway 52 and Forest Lawn Road on September 26, 2025, resulting in a devastating head-on crash with the Ericksons’ Nissan Rogue.
Authorities confirmed that both Shirley and Arlen were properly restrained with seat belts at the time. Despite this, the force of the impact was so severe that both were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Borchardt’s Chevrolet Silverado, a 47-year-old man from Antigo, sustained serious injuries requiring surgery.
Crash reconstruction findings indicate both vehicles were traveling within posted speed limits. The Ericksons were moving at approximately 54 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone, while Borchardt’s vehicle was estimated at about 43 miles per hour. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure in either vehicle, pointing instead toward human factors as central to the case.
Authorities also allege that Borchardt tested positive for methamphetamine after the crash, a factor now under review as part of the criminal proceedings. Investigators are examining whether impairment contributed to the lane departure that caused the collision.
Borchardt reportedly told deputies he could not clearly remember the moments leading up to the crash, suggesting he may have swerved after noticing a deer before losing control while traveling from Antigo toward Edgar.
As the legal process continues, officials are carefully reviewing all evidence to fully understand the sequence of events that led to the loss of Shirley and Arlen Erickson.
The family retains sole rights to obituary and funeral arrangements, which remain pending confirmation. This report may be updated as verified information becomes available. REST IN PEACE.
In the wake of this devastating event the community continues to grieve and remember the Ericksons with profound sadness as loved ones seek comfort and healing while authorities work toward clarity and accountability for all involved hoping that truth brings some measure of peace to the grieving hearts left behind and lasting remembrance for them