MONROE — Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill on Oct. 23 announced the first fatality on county roads in 2025. Twenty-five days after a hitting a deer with his motorcycle, Danny G. Burkhalter, 65, of South Wayne, died.

“This morning, October 23, 2025, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Lafayette County Coroner’s Office that Danny G. Burkhalter, (65), of South Wayne, WI, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at UW Hospital in Madison,” Gill said. “Mr. Burkhalter passed away as a result of the injuries he suffered on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in a motorcycle crash where he struck a deer on CTH N in the Town of Wiota...” 

Having died within thirty days of the date of the crash, Burkhalter’s death qualifies as the first motor vehicle fatality on Lafayette County roadways in 2025.

Not far from his home, Burkhalter was riding his 1988 Harley-Davidson just before 11 a.m. that day when he crested a hill and hit a deer, which ejecting him from the bike. The rider and bike came to rest in the road in the 10000 block of County N, in Wiota Township. His injuries were characterized at the time as serious; and he was flown by UW Medflight helicopter for emergency treatment.

Burkhalter was not wearing a helmet, according to the sheriff.

Woodford Fire and First Response, Argyle Fire and Argyle EMS were on scene — with assistance from Lafayette County EMS.