RACINE COUNTY - A Racine woman was killed and her husband was seriously injured after a tree fell on their moving vehicle Saturday morning in Franksville.
The tree came down while 51-year old William Martin an d 52-year old Michelle Martin were driving by, investigators said.
The accident occurred on 4 Mile Rd. near Nicholson Rd.
"I have to say this is the first time in all my years here that we've had a tree fall on a car like that," said Lt. Gary Larsen, of the Caledonia Police Department. "It was shocking the amount of damage it did."
He said responding officers found Michelle Martin deceased at the scene.
Firefighters extricated William Martin from the vehicle and transported him to the hospital.
"They basically had to cut the top of the car off," Larsen said.
He noted there were strong winds in the area Saturday.
"That poor family. What do you do in a situation like this?" Larsen said. "It's something tragic."
On Monday morning, friends and family members who knew the Martins stopped at the scene of the accident.
Dan Johnson, who worked with Michelle Martin at his business, Danny's Meats & Catering, called her a close friend.
The two met six years ago.
"She really, truly did light up a room," Johnson said. "She could make people feel at ease and comfortable. She was an incredible, incredible person."
Johnson added Michelle and her husband enjoyed exploring Southeast Wisconsin and finding new restaurants.
He said he can't imagine one without the other.
"It's going to be tough," Johnson said. "This is definitely a shock, when it happens to one of your close friends."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family. Click here to donate.
