(Published Friday, February 16, 2007 11:09:27 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Frank Schultz Gazette staff
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP-A Janesville man who died in a snowmobile crash Thursday night was recalled as a kind, thoughtful teen-ager.
Daniel C. Wastak, 19, died when his snowmobile crashed into a fence near County H and Ellis Road in Plymouth Township, the Rock County Sheriff's Department reported.
A neighbor of Wastak, Michael Rhodes, was so moved by the tragedy that he composed a letter to the editor of The Janesville Gazette.
Rhodes said this morning that Wastak often cleared his driveway and sidewalk because Rhodes is disabled.
Wastak recently learned that Rhodes' father-who doesn't even live in the neighborhood-had become disabled, so he plowed Rhodes' father's drive, as well, without being asked.
"He's done a lot of things for us without even asking for anything in return," Rhodes said. "I don't know what it's going to be like around here without him."
Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, the sheriff's department reported.
Wastak was alone on the snowmobile as it approached a stop sign that stopped snowmobile traffic at County H, according to the news release. The snowmobile failed to negotiate a slight curve and hit the barbed-wire fence and several fence posts.
Rhodes said another man was snowmobiling with Wastak on another machine.
Deputies, DNR wardens and Footville fire and rescue units were called to the scene at 8:06 p.m., the sheriff's department reported.
Deputies arrived at about 8:19 and found an off-duty nurse attending to Wastak.
Wastak wore a helmet but suffered severe injuries to his neck, according to the news release. Coroner Jenifer Keach pronounced him dead at the scene.
The DNR is the lead investigating agency for the accident.
Rhodes said Wastak worked at Lear Corp., and the Janesville School District confirmed Wastak graduated in 2005. He attended Parker High School.
Schneider, Schneider, Apfel and Schneider Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
