Jacksonport Crash Victim Identified

Thomas J. Rondeau, 90, Jacksonport, has been identified as the driver of a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck that ran into a petroleum tanker Oct. 25 on Hwy 57 north of Bechtel Road in the Town of Jacksonport.

According to the Door County Sheriff’s Department’s initial investigation, at about 1:20 pm, the tanker was backing into a driveway to make a delivery when it was struck by Rondeau’s truck traveling southbound on Hwy 57. Rondeau was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas Kaczmarek, 57, Sturgeon Bay, the driver of the tanker, was not injured.

A portion of Hwy 57 was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated and traffic was diverted around the area. The Door County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by inspectors and traffic crash reconstruction personnel from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The crash remains under investigation. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors.

Rondeau was one of the dozen Jacksonport residents who are suing to stop an RV campground from locating at the southernmost part of the town’s main corridor on Hwy 57. The campground won approval at both town and county level when the lawsuit was filed in June.

A memorial service for Tom Rondeau will be held on Monday, Oct. 29, at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, County V, Jacksonport. A time of visiting with the family will be held in Jameson Hall at the church from 9:30 until 11:00 am, followed by the service. A luncheon will be served after the worship service.