Motorcycle driver, passenger died after crashing into tractor in Fond du Lac County

FOND DU LAC COUNTY -- Two people died after a motorcycle crashed into a tractor in Fond du Lac County Saturday night, Sept. 8. The operator of the motorcycle died at the scene, and his passenger died at the hospital.

Sheriff's officials identified the victims as Carl Serwe, 49, and Darci Lu Atkins, 47 -- both of Chilton.

It happened just before 6:30 p.m. on Highway 151 just north of Highway WH in the Township of Taycheedah.

According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, the motorcycle was headed northbound when the operator tried to pass another vehicle pulling a horse trailer. The motorcyclist swerved back into the northbound lane after passing the vehicle as a southbound vehicle was approaching.

As the southbound vehicle passed, the motorcyclist began to speed up to pass a farm tractor -- driven by a 36-year-old Plymouth man. As the farm tractor was starting to make a turn, the motorcycle struck the farm tractor. The man and woman on the motorcycle were ejected.

The woman on the motorcycle was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she later died. The man driving the motorcycle died at the scene. The tractor driver was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.  Speed and unsafe passing are considered to be a factors in the crash.