A 74-year-old Ellsworth man has died from injuries sustained May 29 when he was struck by a vehicle on Ellsworth’s Main Street.

According to Ellsworth Police Chief Eric Ladwig, Kenneth L. Wilson died from his injuries after being transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Wilson was struck by a 2009 Toyota Camry at approximately 3:14 p.m. last Thursday. Daniel R. Hayes, 78, Ellsworth, was the driver. Wilson was crossing Main Street/Highway 10 at Beulah Street in a marked crosswalk when Hayes struck him.

According to coworkers at McDonald’s, Wilson worked there as a maintenance man for more than a decade.

Former coworkers posted tributes to Wilson on the Ellsworth WI Community Happenings page. From Mason Tri: “I hope we can all take a minute for Ken. Many of us, especially high schoolers who worked at McDonalds, knew him. He always made his job enjoyable, and he was a reliable man. And even if you didn't know him, you were impacted by him. He was a staple in creating the environment of the McDonald's; this can also be said for the bars, stores, and various businesses he attended. He was a good man, and I won't lie when I say he gave good hugs. There will always be a Ken-sized hole in that McDonald's, one that can never be replaced. Thank you Mr. Ken for all you did for me, my family, our coworkers, and everyone you met. May your soul rest peacefully.”

From Blake Shilts: “Much more than just the maintenance man at our local McDonald's (which he was for over the last decade). I got the honor to call him my coworker for 2 years and the greater honor of calling him my friend for 6 years after that. Though all those years past, whenever I would walk into that restaurant in the mornings he would see me and always be happy to see me. But he was happy to see anyone. He loved everyone. And he will be missed.”

The crash remains under investigation. Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Ellsworth Area Ambulance and Ellsworth Fire assisted at the scene.