A tragic single-vehicle accident in Marinette County's Town of Stephenson resulted in the death of 53-year-old Edward Van Caster Jr. on Friday, March 21, 2025. According to the Marinette County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred around 7:50 p.m. at the intersection of West 32nd Road and 49th Road. Initial investigations suggest that speed was a contributing factor in the accident, as Van Caster was traveling eastbound on West 32nd Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign. His vehicle subsequently entered a roadside ditch before colliding with a tree. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but unfortunately, Van Caster, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Marinette County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Marinette County Medical Examiner's Office, is continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

Location and Infrastructure

The accident occurred at the intersection of West 32nd Road and 49th Road in the Town of Stephenson, a rural area within Marinette County in northeastern Wisconsin. This particular intersection is controlled by a stop sign for traffic traveling on West 32nd Road. The rural nature of this area typically means lower traffic volume, but can also lead to higher speeds on straightaway sections. The roads in this region are predominantly two-lane highways that wind through the wooded landscape characteristic of northern Wisconsin. This area is approximately 65 miles north of Green Bay and is known for its recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, which can periodically increase traffic, especially during seasonal peaks. The rural setting can present challenges for emergency response times compared to more urban locations.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for filing personal injury or wrongful death claims arising from motor vehicle accidents is generally three years from the date of the accident. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party, and recovery is barred if the injured party is more than 50% at fault. In fatal accident cases like this one, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. Wisconsin law also requires all motorists to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services: Marinette County Sheriff's Office (715-732-7627), Marinette County Medical Examiner's Office
• Traffic Safety Resources: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Highway Safety Program, Marinette County Highway Department
• Victim Support Services: Wisconsin Department of Justice - Office of Crime Victim Services, MADD Wisconsin (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• Legal and Regulatory Information: Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 347 (Equipment of Vehicles), Wisconsin Seatbelt Law (§347.48), Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Reports