ELROY, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a 17-year-old driver was hospitalized and their 16-year-old passenger was killed after their pickup overturned near Elroy early Sunday morning,
Sheriff Torgerson reports 17-year-old male was operating a pickup truck traveling northwest on County Road WW, northwest of State Highway 33 at approximately 12:00 a.m. in the town of Hillsboro when the operator lost control while negotiating a curve. The vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, overturned several times, and came to rest in a field.
The report goes on to say seat belts did not appear to be in use and the 16-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle. The operator was either ejected or exited the vehicle on his own. Both were seriously injured and transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Hillsboro, Wis., by Hillsboro Area Ambulance. The operator was later flown to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wis., by UW-Health Med Flight.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., the 16-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at Gundersen St. Joseph’s by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Hillsboro Police Department, Hillsboro Fire Department, Hillsboro Area Ambulance, UW-Health Med Flight, Gundersen Air, University of Wisconsin Police, Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit, and the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office.
Although the investigation is ongoing, speed, alcohol, and vehicle equipment all appear to be contributing factors.
The Sheriff’s Office says more information may be released on Monday.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.
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