– Teens who passed away in Dodge County accident at ‘challenging’ intersection identified
– Adolescents who lost their lives in Dodge County collision at ‘tricky’ crossing identified.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Four individuals, who were either current students or alumni of high schools in the Madison area, tragically lost their lives in a devastating collision in Dodge County during the early hours of Memorial Day. The incident, which claimed the lives of Luis Gamillo, Erik Gamillo, Alix Hernandez, and Ivan Herrera, has left the community in mourning.
The collision occurred at approximately 4 a.m. at the intersection of County Highway TT and State Highway 16/60 in the town of Elba, located about 3 miles east of Columbus. According to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, preliminary investigations indicate that a pickup truck travelling north on Highway TT failed to adhere to a stop sign, resulting in a collision with a semitractor travelling east on Highway 16.
Tragically, three teenagers lost their lives at the scene of the crash, while another teenager succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. The deceased have been identified as Luis Gamillo, aged 19, from Sun Prairie; Alix Hernandez, aged 18, from Fall River; Erik Gamillo Caldaza, aged 17, from Sun Prairie; and Ivan Herrera, aged 16, also from Sun Prairie. Additionally, an 18-year-old woman from Madison sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised.
Sheriff Schmidt has called upon the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to approve safety enhancements at the intersection to prevent future tragedies. The agency has assured that measures have been taken, and further improvements will be implemented in response to this incident.
It has been revealed that in the past decade, there have been nine prior crashes at the intersection, with varying degrees of severity. The Dodge County Highway Department and the Dodge County Traffic Safety Committee have conducted a thorough examination of the intersection and provided recommendations to the Wisconsin DOT. Despite the identification of safety concerns, the Wisconsin DOT has yet to approve the suggested enhancements.
The Wisconsin DOT has acknowledged the need for immediate action and has pledged to implement interim safety measures at the location while a reconstruction project for the intersection is in the planning phase. The department emphasised that safety is their top priority, and they express their condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. They are committed to ensuring that such tragic incidents are prevented in the future..
– Teens who died in Dodge County crash
– Dodge County crash crossing identified.
