On the evening of Saturday, October 23, 2021, a devastating two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of County Highway R and Cooperstown Road in Brown County, Wisconsin, claiming two lives and causing severe injuries to another person. Marcus Walker, 29, was traveling westbound on Cooperstown Road when he failed to yield at a stop sign, resulting in a collision with a southbound vehicle driven by Jamie Lee Cain, 42, of Whitelaw. Both Cain and his fiancée, 41-year-old Katherine Mae Rathie-Dunn, also of Whitelaw, were pronounced dead at the scene. Walker's brother, Joseph, suffered severe facial injuries and required airlift transportation to a Milwaukee hospital. Walker's vehicle spun upon impact, stopped on the shoulder of County Highway R, and caught fire, while Cain's vehicle continued approximately 30 feet into a field in the southwest corner of the intersection. Initially, authorities suspected alcohol involvement, but recent court proceedings revealed Walker's blood alcohol content was below the legal limit.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred at the intersection of County Highway R and Cooperstown Road in rural Brown County, Wisconsin, near the town of Cooperstown. This intersection is controlled by stop signs on Cooperstown Road, while County Highway R traffic has the right of way. Rural intersections like this one present unique hazards due to potentially limited visibility, higher speeds on county highways, and less frequent traffic that may lead to driver complacency. The area is primarily agricultural, with open fields surrounding the roadways that can sometimes create visibility challenges during certain weather or lighting conditions. This particular intersection represents a typical rural Wisconsin crossroads where county roads intersect with local roads, requiring vigilant observation of traffic control devices, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the area.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Wisconsin, failure to yield at a stop sign violations fall under state statute 346.18, which establishes right-of-way rules at controlled intersections. While initial charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle were not pursued after blood alcohol testing, Wisconsin law still provides for negligent homicide charges in cases where driver negligence results in fatalities, even without alcohol impairment. Victims' families in fatal crash cases typically have three years under Wisconsin's statute of limitations to pursue wrongful death claims for compensation covering funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Those injured may seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through either the at-fault driver's liability insurance or their own underinsured motorist coverage. Multiple insurance policies may apply in crashes involving several vehicles, potentially including personal injury protection benefits.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Brown County Sheriff's Office: (920) 448-4200
• Brown County Emergency Management: (920) 391-7401
• Eagle III Air Medical Transport: (920) 433-8985

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Northeast Region: (920) 492-5643
• Brown County Highway Department: (920) 662-2160
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Northeast Region: (920) 929-3700

Victim Support Services:

• Brown County Victim/Witness Services: (920) 448-4190
• Center for Childhood Safety: (920) 272-0110
• MADD Wisconsin (Mothers Against Drunk Driving): (877) 623-3435

Legal Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Traffic Laws: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/laws/default.aspx
• Wisconsin State Legislature - Vehicle Code: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/346