Boscobel man killed in head‑on crash with military vehicle near Cashton

May 1, 2026

CASHTON, Wis. — Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that at about noon Wednesday, April 29, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a two‑vehicle, head‑on collision on State Highway 27 near Paulson Road in the Town of Christiana.

According to the Sheriff’s report, John LeRoy Shimpach, 82, of rural Boscobel, was driving an SUV south on State Highway 27 when he crossed the centerline and struck a northbound Oshkosh Defense Medium Tactical Vehicle (“5‑Ton”) traveling in a military convoy. The military vehicle was operated by Ramiro J. Pirado, 24, of Moline, Ill.

Shimpach was pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.

Pirado and his passenger, Teodoro Zamora, 26, of Toluca, Ill., sustained apparent non‑life‑threatening injuries and were transported to Mayo Clinic Health System by another vehicle in their convoy.

Responding agencies included the Westby‑Christiana Fire Department, Westby Emergency Medical Service, Westby Police Department, Cashton Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Gundersen Tri‑State Ambulance, Vernon County Emergency Management and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office. The Cashton Fire Department, Cashton Police Department and Viroqua Fire Department assisted with traffic control.

State Highway 27 was closed in both directions until 4:15 p.m.

The Village of Cashton provided heavy equipment support at the scene. The military vehicle, which sustained disabling damage, was removed by the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort McCoy.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was requested to assist with technical crash reconstruction. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office assisted with in‑person communication with the Shimpach family.

The soldiers traveling in the convoy were part of the Illinois Army National Guard 6/54th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB). Another vehicle in the convoy took evasive action to avoid a collision with Shimpach’s vehicle.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the Shimpach family and to everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Torgerson said. “We recognize the profound loss this incident represents, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to supporting all those affected.”

The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.