54-year-old man killed in Richland County crash

Jan. 20, 2026

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. — A Richland Center man died Friday after his vehicle spun into oncoming traffic on a snow-covered highway, authorities said.

Richard A. Schulze, 54, was traveling north on U.S. Highway 80 near Industrial Drive around 4:40 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Schulze’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by another vehicle driven by Thomas J. Nachtigal, 18, also of Richland Center.

Emergency crews performed CPR at the scene before Schulze was taken to Richland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Nachtigal and a juvenile passenger were evaluated by EMS, and other parties involved were treated and transported by a third party.

The highway was closed for about three and a half hours while the Wisconsin State Patrol Reconstruction Team investigated. Authorities said snow-covered road conditions contributed to the crash, which remains under investigation.

Agencies assisting included the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Center Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS and Wegner Auto Service.