Highway 52 Life Crash In Wausau, WI Investigation: New Details Reveal Meth Use Allegations In Wausau Couple’s Death.
Wausau, Wisconsin, is grappling with renewed attention to a tragic Highway 52 head-on collision that claimed the lives of Shirley L. Erickson, aged 81, and Arlen Erickson, aged 82, a married couple from the community. Recent developments have provided additional insight into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash, which occurred last fall and has since become the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Marathon County Circuit Court on April 2 against 37-year-old Adam H. Borchardt of Antigo, investigators allege that the driver of a pickup truck crossed fully into the opposing lane of traffic moments before the collision. The incident took place near Highway 52 and Forest Lawn Road on September 26, 2025, and resulted in a violent head-on impact with the Ericksons’ vehicle, a Nissan Rogue.
Authorities confirmed that both Shirley and Arlen Erickson were properly restrained with seat belts at the time of the crash. Despite this, the severity of the impact proved fatal, and both were pronounced dead following the collision. A passenger in Borchardt’s Chevrolet Silverado, a 47-year-old man from Antigo, also sustained serious injuries requiring surgical intervention.
The criminal complaint outlines findings from a crash reconstruction report, which indicates that both vehicles were traveling within normal speed limits at the time of the incident. The Ericksons were reportedly traveling at approximately 54 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone, while Borchardt’s vehicle was estimated at around 43 miles per hour. Investigators further noted that there was no evidence suggesting mechanical failure in either vehicle, thereby reinforcing human factors as a central focus of the investigation.
In addition, authorities allege that Borchardt tested positive for methamphetamine following the crash, a development that has significantly influenced the direction of the ongoing criminal proceedings. Law enforcement officials continue to examine whether impairment played a role in the lane departure that led to the fatal collision.
Reports also indicate that Borchardt told deputies at the scene that he had no clear recollection of the events, speculating that he may have swerved after noticing a deer before losing control of the vehicle while traveling from Antigo toward Edgar.
As the case proceeds through the legal system, investigators continue to analyze evidence in order to establish a comprehensive understanding of the events that led to the tragic loss of Shirley and Arlen Erickson.
The family retains the sole and exclusive right to release obituary, memorial, funeral, and visitation arrangements. We fully respect their wishes, and pending official confirmation, some details may remain subject to revision. This article may be updated as new verified information becomes available.
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