Spooner woman dies in UTV crash

SIREN - Jennifer Kopinski, 52, of Spooner, died in a UTV crash on Saturday, Aug. 17, in Lafollette Township in Burnett County.

According to the Burnett County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call at 11:45 p.m. Saturday of a UTV rollover crash on Schrider Road. When first responders arrived, they found two occupants of the UTV trapped underneath it. The female passenger, Kopinski, was wearing her seat belt. The male driver was not.

Lifesaving measures were attempted on Kopinski, but she was pronounced deceased on the scene. The male driver, Richard Thone, 56, of Spooner, was transported by ambulance to a hospital for medical treatment.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash. Thone is currently in custody for negligent manslaughter.

This case is still under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Burnett County Sheriff's Office thanks the following for their assistance: the Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin State Patrol, St. Croix Hertel Fire and first responders, North Ambulance and the Burnett County Medical Examiner's Office.