Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Seven Virginia Residents in Clark County, Wisconsin
A devastating accident in Clark County, Wisconsin, has left seven Virginia residents dead, including a 6-month-old infant. The tragic incident occurred when a van carrying members of an Amish community from Virginia’s Tazewell County collided with a semitrailer on a rural road.
Details of the Accident
The collision took place just before 8 a.m. on Friday at the intersection of State Highway 95 and County Highway J in Dewhurst Township. The van, driven by James K. McCoy, was heading north on County Highway J, while the semitrailer was travelling east on State Highway 95.
According to Deputy James Hirsch of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the van failed to yield at a stop sign and pulled out in front of the oncoming semitrailer. The impact of the crash resulted in the ejection of seven van occupants, including a 2-year-old child who miraculously survived.
Eye-Witness Account
Nathaniel Jahn, a commuter who witnessed the tragic accident, described the harrowing moment when he saw the van enter the path of the semitrailer. He recalled hearing faint cries and the sound of the collision, a moment that will stay with him forever.
“I could hear a faint, like, whimpering sound, I remember. And it turned into a cry,” Jahn said, reflecting on the heart-wrenching scene.
Response and Investigation
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting the crash at 7:53 a.m. Deputies arrived at the scene to find the van engulfed in flames and the semitrailer overturned in a ditch. The driver of the semitrailer, identified as 51-year-old Daniel Liddicoat of Rewey, Wisconsin, was also ejected from the vehicle and tragically lost his life.
Investigations revealed that the van had skidded and caught fire after being struck by the semitrailer. The trailer, carrying milk, came to rest on its side behind the cab of the semi. The lone survivor, a 2-year-old child, was rescued from the van and taken to Marshfield Medical Center for treatment.
First Fatal Collision of 2024
This incident marks the first fatal collision in 2024 for Clark County, Wisconsin. The community is mourning the loss of eight lives, including seven Virginia residents and the semitrailer driver. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic accident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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