Motorcyclist death near Bangor is La Crosse’s second traffic fatality of 2023, as state’s toll hits 220

A motorcyclist, who was killed last week in a crash near Bangor, Wis., is the second person to die on La Crosse County highways in 2023.

Thomas Hauser of Melrose, Wis., died Thursday night, when his cycle missed a curve on Highway 162 and went into a ditch.

The 44-year-old was alone.

While this is the second county highway death, there were six traffic deaths during the same period in 2022.

Statewide, Wisconsin’s traffic death toll is lower than at the same time last year.

As of June 18, 220 people had died on state roads during 2023 — 23 of those on motorcycles or passengers. Last year, 239 had died on roads over the same period.

With 55 killed on the road, May has been the deadliest month in Wisconsin.