Nov. 4, 2018 – Dodge Co., WI – The condition of the driver who was considered to have life-threatening injuries had improved, though a current condition is not known.
That driver was identified as Michael Beckwith, 66, rural Neosho. Beckwith’s car had been pulled over to the right shoulder on the northbound side, and re-entered the roadway in what was believed to be an attempt to enter a crossover to the southbound side. That crossover is in place for access to a residence on the divided highway, and is not posted to prohibit U-turns.
The driver of the northbound pickup was identified as David Neitzke, 58, and passenger Renee Neitzke, also 58, both from Omro. Again, neither of them received injuries requiring transport.
Though there are many of these residential crossovers on US Highway 151 in Dodge County, conducting U-turns in these crossovers can be very dangerous. There are many safer alternatives for turning around such as the intersections with turn lanes to side roads and intersections with interchange ramps.
Many of the serious and fatal traffic crashes in Dodge County on US Highway 151 have occurred at these crossovers and intersections which do not have access ramps. Extreme care should always be utilized to ensure any traffic with the right-of-way is allowed to safely pass before entering or crossing the highway.
Original release from 11-01-2018
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is currently at the scene of a serious traffic crash on US HWY 151 near County Highway C in the Township of Trenton, between Beaver Dam and Waupun.
Northbound traffic in the area is backed up, but moving along the shoulder past the scene.
At about 7:48 pm this evening (November 1, 2018), 911 calls reporting a crash with injuries and road blockage were received. The crash involved two vehicles. The operator and sole occupant of a passenger car was flown from the scene via Flight For Life with life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger from a pickup truck were evaluated by medical personnel, but not transported by EMS. The investigation is in very early stages, but lack of seat belt usage is a factor in the seriousness of injury.
