Driving has become a deeply ingrained component of American life. Between commuting, running errands and vacations, we spend a considerable portion of our lives on the road. It can be easy to forget that driving is not only our primary form of transportation, it is also an inherently dangerous activity that can have life-changing consequences when something goes wrong. A recent car accident in Washburn County reminds Wisconsin residents of how quickly a ‘normal’ drive can turn tragic.
The incident took place on a recent Friday evening, just before 9 p.m. The preliminary investigation suggests that the 82-year-old driver of a 2010 Dodge van exited Highway 53 and was attempting to cross Highway 70 when he was struck by a 2000 Dodge pickup truck. The driver was killed in the crash. His passenger, an 80-year-old woman, sustained life-threatening injuries in the accident. Though the driver and passenger in the Dodge van shared the same last name, no family relationship was described in a news article reporting the event.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 36-year-old male, also received injuries in the crash that placed his life in danger. While the driver and the passenger in the van were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, it appears that the pickup truck driver was not properly restrained. Multiple agencies responded to the scene of the crash, which took almost four hours to clear.
The investigation into this car accident is still underway. As Wisconsin police work to determine who was responsible for the crash, the victims who survived will likely continue to focus on overcoming their injuries. As for the man who lost his life in the wreck, his loved ones may still be struggling to accept what has happened. Should the investigation reveal negligence or other indications of responsibility for this accident, the other parties may choose to move forward with civil action to recover damages that were brought on by this accident.
Source: Duluth News Tribune, “State Patrol IDs victims of fatal crash in Northwestern Wisconsin,” Sept. 1, 2012
