FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Oshkosh couple was killed after crashing its motorcycle into a vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign Friday evening, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.
Paul Delap, 58, and his wife, Pamela Delap, 56, were ejected from the motorcycle on Van Dyne Road at Subway Road in the Township of Friendship at 6:49 p.m.
Deputies say the initial investigation shows a 17-year-old was driving a vehicle westbound and failed to stop at the stop sign on Subway Road and was struck by the motorcycle heading north. The sheriff’s office says inattentive driving is believed to have been a factor.
Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt was asked whether charges are being recommended against the driver. Waldschmidt says “Nothing yet, that will be decided once all facts are gathered and evidence analyzed.”
Paul Delap was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Pamela Delap was wearing a helmet and was flown to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center where she later died.
A section of Van Dyne Road was closed for about four hours after the crash.
Paul Delap was a highway paving foreman for Winnebago County. Pam Delap is a former member of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
“On behalf of the Winnebago County government and citizens, we remember the Delaps for their years of service to our county,” said Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel. “Paul had been a dedicated employee of our highway department since 1991 and eventually elevated to the position of paving foreman. Pam was a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and a proud BPDD Partners in Policymaking graduate. Pam was instrumental in the construction of an accessible playground in the city of Oshkosh and spent countless hours volunteering for disability initiatives statewide.”
Winnebago County Highway Commissioner Bob Doemel remembered his paving foreman by stating, “Paul ‘Frenchie’ wore his passion on his sleeve. Paul was a bridgetender, equipment operator, and strong leader on our team. Whether it was clearing roads of snowfall or ensuring a properly maintained road infrastructure, Paul was always willing to lend a hand. We will miss him and his devotion to our county.”
Executive Doemel’s office says county leaders spent Saturday notifying Paul’s coworkers of the tragic crash. Crisis debriefers will be on hand for employees when they return to work on Tuesday.
The county is planning to display Delap’s plow truck as a temporary memorial for colleagues. Coworkers have already erected a memorial with a county hat for Delap.
