Update: Crash Near Columbus Claims One Life

(Town of Columbus) One person was killed and several people were injured Tuesday in a multi-vehicle crash near Columbus. The incident occurred just after 5pm in the northbound lanes of Highway 151, near the Highway 73 overpass.

According to a press release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, a Freightliner straight truck failed to reduce speed as it encountered slower moving traffic in a construction zone.

The straight truck first collided with a minivan before crashing into a pick-up truck. The driver of the minivan was not injured but Columbus Fire personnel had to remove the driver and a passenger in the pick-up, and they were flown from the scene by Med Flight to UW Hospital in Madison. A second passenger in the pick-up was pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck then pushed the pick-up into a car, then another minivan and finally an SUV.  One woman and two males were transported with injuries by EMS.

In total, the straight truck struck five vehicles. Ten people were involved, two escaped injury. The two men inside the straight truck claimed minor injuries. Traffic was diverted off northbound Highway 151 for several hours.

The crash remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol. Names of all occupants are being withheld pending notification of family.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department, Med Flight, Lifestar EMS, Sun Prairie EMS, Dane County Sheriff Office, Wisconsin DOT, Wisconsin State Patrol, Columbia County Highway Department, Columbia County Medical Examiner’s Office and Blystone Towing and Napleton Towing.