Racine firefighter dies in motorcycle crash

EAST TROY – A member of the Racine and Raymond fire departments died in an automobile versus motorcycle crash near East Troy on Oct. 10.

According to a release, the Walworth County Communications Center received a 911 call around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, reporting the crash at County Highway D and Townline Road at the entrance of Alpine Valley in the Town of Lafayette.

Walworth County sheriff’s deputies and the East Troy Fire Department arrived on the scene, where they located the driver and sole occupant of the motorcycle in the northwest ditch.

The motorcyclist was identified as Maxwell J. Bayer, 31, of Franksville, Wisconsin, who was a member of both the city of Racine and Raymond fire departments.

Deputies attempted life-saving measures and transferred Bayer to the East Troy Municipal Airport for an awaiting Flight For Life Helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the airport.

The driver of the automobile, a 17-year-old male from Eagle, Wisconsin, was not injured and was cooperating with the investigation, the release said.

The Walworth County Medical Examiner and Walworth County Highway Department also responded to the scene. The case remains under investigation. No further information was released.