LA FARGE, Wis. — A two-vehicle crash involving commercial trucks and heavy equipment in rural Vernon County sent two people to the hospital and remains under investigation, authorities said.
The collision occurred Friday around 4:40 p.m. on County Road A near West Lima in the Town of Union, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson.
According to the Sheriff’s report, Justin J. Valentine, 21, of Viola, was driving a south in a box truck when he crossed the center line and struck a northbound pickup driven by Chad E. Miller, 51, of La Farge. Miller was towing a trailer loaded with a skid steer loader. The initial impact caused minor damage, but Valentine’s vehicle continued across the roadway and collided nearly head-on with a second northbound truck driven by Steven A. Bomkamp, 65, of Highland—also towing a skid steer.
Valentine sustained injuries and initially declined ambulance transport but was later taken by private vehicle to Vernon Health and subsequently transferred to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. Bomkamp was transported by Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service to Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area (St. Joseph’s Hospital), where he was treated and released. Miller and his passenger were not injured.
Authorities said Valentine was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, while Bomkamp was.
The roadway was cleared of vehicles and equipment shortly before 9:00 p.m. Emergency responders included the Yuba Fire Department, Yuba First Responders, Hillsboro Ambulance, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident remains under investigation.
Add comment