Leader Staff
Authorities on Wednesday released the name of the Shawano County highway employee who died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle at a road construction site in Red Springs.
Derek T. Stempa, 30, of Shawano, was working as a flag person at the intersection of state Highway 47 and County Road G about 11:47 a.m. when he was struck by a southbound 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by Dennis M. St. John, 68, of Tigerton, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said.
The Shawano County Highway Department was conducting road construction at the intersection, reducing vehicle traffic to one lane.
Heather Stempa said her husband of six years was always willing to help others, which is one of the reasons he joined the National Guard at age 17 and served in Kuwait.
“He would do anything to help and was always willing to serve,” she said, recalling a time when he assisted a family at a traffic accident. “He was always the first to help.”
Stempa also described her husband as “very outgoing and funny; he had a great sense of humor.”
She said the family, which includes 3-year-old Brynlee and 5-year-old River, took their first vacation to Tennessee a few months ago. His time with the children “is what I will remember the most,” she said.
The accident occurred in a portion of Red Springs that straddles the Menominee Reservation area known as Middle Village.
Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw issued a statement in the aftermath of the crash.
“The Menominee Nation expresses our sympathy to the family of the individual who lost his life and to the Shawano County Highway Department,” he said in the statement. “We are mindful of all who are willing to work in challenging and high risk occupations to make the roadways we travel safer. This tragedy is a reminder to all of us how precious life is and how important it is to use extra caution in all work zones.”
Construction on the project is being suspended until further notice, Besaw said.
Stempa was employed with the highway department for about five years, according to Brent Miller, county administrator.
“Derek was a loved father, son, brother, and a friend to many, he will be greatly missed,” Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber said in statement via social media Wednesday.
A memorial fund has been established for the Stempa family at all Capital Credit Union locations.
The crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol and and the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office.
Some news outlets have been reporting that St. John was from Hurley. The sheriff’s department said all information in their system shows him as a Tigerton resident.
No further information was being released Wednesday.