More details released following horrific crash in Fond du Lac Co. | By Lt. Nick Kahnke

January 1, 2024 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – There was a tragic rollover crash on Highway 45 in Fond du Lac County, WI, during the early morning hours of Sunday, December 31, 2023. One person19,  from Hartford was killed and four other injured.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office has issued a follow-up release on its investigation.

Please note, the details in this story are graphic in nature.

The investigation into these two crashes remains active and ongoing, and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the initial crash.

The following additional details are being released at this time.

Occupants of vehicle involved in initial rollover crash:

19-year-old female operator from Hartford – deceased

17-year-old male passenger from West Bend – transported by ambulance to Froedert Hospital Milwaukee with critical injuries

16-year-old female passenger from Theresa – transported by ambulance to Children’s Hospital Milwaukee with serious non-life threatening injuries

17-year-old passenger from Milwaukee – transported by ambulance to Froedert West Bend with minor injuries

21-year-old passenger from Iron Ridge – transported by civilian vehicle to Aurora Medical Center Washington County with serious non-life threatening injuries

More information will be made public as law enforcement continues to investigate these related crashes.    

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the various first responders and assisting law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions who worked together to locate and account for all involved and assisted our deputies in this complex investigation.

Below is the initial report released December 31, 1023

December 31, 2023 – Fond du Lac Co., WI – On Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 1:10 a.m., the Fond du Lac County Communications Center received a call of a one vehicle accident on Hwy 45 near Sandy Road in the Township of Auburn.

Please note – the contents of the following story are graphic in nature. Prayers to the families and rescue crews involved.

Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded along with Campbellsport Ambulance and Kewaskum Fire and Ambulance Service.

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Preliminary investigation showed that the vehicle was traveling southbound and entered the west ditch, striking a culvert.

The vehicle then overturned several times before coming to rest.  There were 5 occupants of the vehicle, 4 of which were ejected during the crash.  

After being ejected from the vehicle, a 19-year-old Hartford woman was struck by another vehicle.  She was drug from the scene and located by Washington County Deputies three miles from the initial crash site.

The female was pronounced deceased at the secondary scene.  Three other occupants were transported to medical facilities with serious life-threatening injuries.  One occupant was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Hwy 45 was re-routed for approximately 4 hours by the Fond du Lac County Highway Department and Wisconsin State Patrol while the Fond du Lac County Reconstruction Team investigated the crash.

 At this time the names of the involved are not being released as the investigation is ongoing.  

If you have any information on either of these two related crashes we are asking that you contact the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office at (920)929-3390 or the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s tip line at (920)906-4777.