An 18-year-old West Bend man was killed today after he was struck by a northbound vehicle on Highway 45.
Washington County Sheriff’s said the accident happened at 12:38 p.m. on USH 45 at Chestnut Street.
The initial investigation revealed the man was alongside his vehicle, outside of the lane of traffic, putting gas in his disabled vehicle when he was struck by the northbound vehicle. The northbound vehicle traveled over the fog line prior to striking the pedestrian.
West Bend Fire/Rescue along with Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene. Upon arrival, lifesaving efforts were started on the man, however he died at the scene. The operator of the northbound vehicle, a 34-year-old Palmyra man was uninjured.
Investigators are trying to determine why the northbound vehicle left the roadway. Alcohol/ drugs do not appear to be a factor. The accident remains under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team.
One lane of USH 45 northbound and several on ramps for the highway were closed while the accident scene was investigated.
– – The county’s first fatal accident of 2016 was recorded Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1:58 a.m. when a 38-year-old Town of Erin woman crashed her car on Donegal Road west of County Highway K, in the Town of Erin. A 38-year-old Town of Erin man, a passenger in the vehicle, was also critically injured, and transported by Flight for Life to Summit Hospital in Oconomowoc. Both accidents remain under investigation.