6 October 2005
Pewaukee Train Victim Identified
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Traffic crosses the railroad tracks on Wednesday where a man was
struck and killed by a train Tuesday.
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Pewaukee Wisconsin - The man struck and killed by a train while walking his dog downtown
Tuesday evening has been identified as 58-year-old David H. Saggau, a longtime salesman of hunting, fishing and outdoor
gear in the area.
Police are still investigating Saggau's death, which happened at 6:39 p.m. as he was walking his black Labrador retriever on the
sidewalk along West Wisconsin Avenue near High Street and Capitol Drive.
Witnesses told police Saggau's dog began pulling him toward the crossing while the train approached from the east, Pewaukee Police
Department Lt. Mark Flessert said.
Saggau let go of the dog, which began running toward the train and then ran back to the crossing. Saggau, however, continued walking
into the path of the Canadian Pacific Railway train despite blowing warning horns and lowered safety gates at the crossing, Flessert
said. Saggau was killed instantly.
Flessert said it remains unclear why Saggau - who lived at 332 Evergreen Lane, less than three blocks from the crossing - walked in
front of the train.
Investigators have not ruled out suicide or if Saggau may have been intoxicated at the time of his death, Flessert said. Toxicology
tests have been ordered in the case.
Police are investigating whether Saggau's looming divorce played a role in the incident, Flessert said. Saggau's wife, Jean, filed
for divorce on 31 Aug 2005, state court records show. A hearing in the case was scheduled for 1 Nov 2005.
Jean Saggau did not return messages seeking comment.
Also, Saggau had been cited twice for operating a vehicle while intoxicated since 30 Jul 2005. Saggau pleaded no contest
in a Milwaukee County case 26 Aug 2005. He was ordered to pay an $850 fine and had his driving privileges revoked for
seven months, records show.
A case in Dodge County was still pending. Saggau had a Monday court date in that case.
Saggau is a sales representative for a number of hunting, fishing and outdoors equipment retailers, said John Laimon, owner of Smokey's
Bait Shop on Pewaukee Lake. The business, headquartered at 120 Park Ave., has supplied a number of area retailers, large and small,
with items like fishing rods, kayaks and life vests.
Smokey's is a longtime customer of Saggau's, and Saggau's son, Ryan, now a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student,
is a former employee of the bait shop.
Saggau was also an accomplished hunter and fisherman himself, Laimon said.
"We were at a show in Wisconsin Dells when I got the news," he said. "Everybody up there was very concerned and kind
of set back that this happened. It's tough.
"I can't put it into words, I guess."
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