April 9, 2024 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – UPDATE: Names released in the crash:
Update: 04/09/24 3:00pm
Southbound vehicle Driver – Julie Midtbo 73-years-old – Mcfarland, WI
Female outside vehicle: Janice Handrich 75-years-old – Ripon, WI – Deceased
On Monday, April 8, 2024, at approximately 9:53 p.m., a Sergeant with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office came upon a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 26 near Cattaraugus Road in the Town of Waupun, Fond du Lac County Wisconsin.
Initial investigation indicates a vehicle was stopped in the southbound lane of State Highway 26 when it was struck by another southbound vehicle, operated by a 73-year-old Mcfarland woman. It appeared a 75-year-old woman from the City of Ripon exited her vehicle after running out of gas and was standing in front of her vehicle when it was struck. She was struck by her vehicle during the collision tossing her onto the shoulder. The striking vehicle collided with her trapping her underneath.
Shortly after discovering this, a Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on scene to assist. The Sergeant and Deputy were able to lift the front of the striking vehicle, freeing the woman from underneath it and immediately began life-saving measures.
Waupun Fire Department, Life Star Ambulance and Flight for Life Medical Helicopter were all called to the scene. The 75-year-old Ripon woman was flown to Froedtert Hospital Milwaukee where she was later pronounced deceased due to the injuries suffered in the crash. The 73-year-old Mcfarland woman was wearing her seatbelt and did not suffer any injuries.
State Highway 26 was shut down between County Highway TC and Highway 151 for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was processed. Also assisting on scene with traffic control was the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The crash remains under investigation by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.