In Loving Memory of Thomas Paine and in Honor of All Affected

In Loving Memory of Thomas Paine and in Honor of All Affected

The image shows an official news release from the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, dated December 2, 2025, providing updated information on a tragic multi-vehicle crash that claimed a life and left several others injured. Today, we pause to reflect on the loss, honor the victims, and hold space for the deep grief felt by the families and communities affected.

The Sheriff’s Office confirms that Thomas Paine, age 71, of Johnson Creek, WI, was the deceased driver of a Mercedes Sprinter van involved in the collision. His untimely passing has left a profound emptiness in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Thomas was more than a name in a press release—he was a person with a story, a family, a lifetime of relationships, and a presence that can never be replaced. His memory will now live on in the people whose lives he touched, in the love he shared, and in the legacy he leaves behind.

Several others were injured in the crash, including:

• Elizabeth Long, age 29, of Racine, WI, the driver of the Ford Fusion
• Luke Reynebeau, age 36, of Chicago, IL, the Subaru Forester driver
• Michael Schulz, age 36, of Chicago, IL, the front passenger in the Subaru

A 1-year-old child riding in the Subaru Forester was thankfully unharmed—an outcome that brings at least a small measure of relief amid so much heartache.

The driver of a semi-tractor trailer, Jose Velazquez Medina, 49, of West Allis, WI, was reportedly not injured. He was issued citations for Failure to Maintain Control of a Vehicle and Illegal Crossing of a Divided Highway—details that underscore the tragic chain of events that led to the loss of Thomas Paine’s life.

As investigators continue reconstructing the crash and reviewing toxicology results, families are left to make sense of a tragedy that changed their lives forever. Behind each line of the report is a circle of loved ones—those waiting in hospital rooms, holding onto hope, or mourning a loss they never imagined.

Today, we honor Thomas Paine:

A man whose life mattered.

A life suddenly and painfully cut short.

A life that now leaves memories that family and friends will cling to in the difficult days ahead.

May his loved ones find comfort in the support of their community, in cherished memories, and in the knowledge that Thomas will never be forgotten. The road to healing may be long, but love is powerful, and remembrance is eternal.

To all the injured, may recovery come swiftly. To every family affected, may peace find you.

And to Thomas Paine—

May you rest in eternal peace. Forever remembered, forever missed.