26-year old Soldiers Grove woman killed in three-vehicle crash on State Highway 61 in Crawford County

Jan. , 2025

TOWN OF SCOTT, Wis. — A three-vehicle crash on an icy stretch of U.S. Highway 61 left one person dead and another critically injured early Tuesday, authorities said.

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened about 6:26 a.m. near Bear Cave Lane. Investigators said Justin Forde, 34, of Sparta, was driving a sport utility vehicle southbound when he lost control on a curve, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound box truck driven by Christopher Hahn, 48, of Lancaster.

Forde’s passenger, Kristen Howell, 26, of Soldiers Grove, was ejected from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene. Forde was extricated and taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Hahn suffered minor injuries.

A second SUV, driven by Cheyenne Towsley, 26, of Shullsburg, struck Forde’s disabled vehicle while negotiating the same curve. Towsley was not injured.

Officials said icy road conditions contributed to the crash. The highway was closed for about five hours for accident reconstruction.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by multiple agencies, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, local fire departments, rescue squads and towing services.