Nathan Burke Killed in Aurora Car Accident
Bradley Olson arrested on drug-related charges following Highway 73 rollover
Nathan Burke, 36, of Black River Falls, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 73 in Aurora, Wisconsin, on Aug. 1, according to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
The southbound vehicle left the road and entered the west ditch. It then returned to the highway and rolled, coming to a stop in the middle of the lanes. Burke was ejected from the vehicle and died from his injuries at the scene.
Bradley Olson, 45, who was also in the car with Burke, was arrested on drug-related charges following the crash. He received medical treatment before being taken into custody by investigators.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 576 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes statewide in 2024.
The sudden loss of Burke leaves his family navigating both a criminal investigation and a complex legal framework. In fatal crashes involving drug-related charges, parallel criminal and civil proceedings often unfold simultaneously.
How will the drug-related charges impact the Highway 73 crash investigation?
While the Taylor County Sheriff's Office handles the criminal aspects of the rollover, families often pursue independent civil investigations to establish liability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Alcohol and certain medications slow down reaction time in ways a driver rarely notices until a dangerous moment arrives, which is part of why impaired driving keeps causing so many devastating and preventable roadway deaths across the country."
"An attorney handling a fatal crash tied to impairment pulls toxicology results and prior driving history to understand how responsibility gets assigned," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What legal options exist for Burke's family?
Individuals involved in DUI incidents may have legal options. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims.
"Mechanical inspections sometimes answer questions that cannot be resolved by photographs alone because damaged parts may tell an important story," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney can help surviving relatives preserve that opportunity before repairs, disposal, or time make further examination impossible."
Wisconsin wrongful death statute
Under Wis. Stat. § 895.04, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Wisconsin applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.