Sparta man charged with homicide for fatal crash that killed 24-year-old passenger while fleeing police

Feb. 5, 2025

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the identity of the passenger killed following the high-speed crash of a vehicle fleeing from an attempted traffic stop on February 1.

The victim of the crash has been identified as 24-year-old Jaden Fargen, of Bangor, Wis.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jeremiah Johnson, 22, of Sparta, Wis.

Yesterday, Johnson was charged by Columbia County District Attorney Brenda Yaskal with Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle. He made an initial appearance in Columbia County Circuit Court this afternoon and is being held in the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bond.

This investigation is on-going, and Jeremiah Johnson will likely face additional charges as the investigation continues.

The charge is merely an accusation of criminal conduct where probable cause existed for an arrest. The individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.