CHRISTIANA, Wis. (WFRV) – A 17-year-old boy was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on State Highway 27 in western Wisconsin Sunday morning.
Deputies from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office were called around 10:45 a.m. to Highway 27 near Erickson Road in the Town of Christiana. Authorities said 61-year-old Terry L. Erickson of Westby was driving an SUV with a trailer attached, heading south, and had stopped in a private driveway while signaling a left turn.
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Behind Erickson, 54-year-old Suzanne K. Bassette of La Crosse slowed her vehicle but noticed a southbound semi-truck approaching quickly. She steered to the right to avoid a collision.
The semi, a Freightliner pulling a box trailer and farm implement, was driven by 17-year-old Paytyn C. Dosch of Mauston. The truck jackknifed and struck Erickson’s trailer, detaching it from the SUV. It also collided with a northbound vehicle driven by 68-year-old John R. Sharp of Richland Center.
Dosch was ejected from the semi and sustained serious injuries. He was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in Minnesota. Sharp had to be extricated from his vehicle. Bassette’s quick action kept her vehicle from being struck, and she was uninjured.
Another motorist, 38-year-old Justin D. Clark of Ontario, was driving north behind Sharp. He maneuvered into a field to avoid the crash. Clark, a 36-year-old passenger, and two children were not injured.
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“I would like to thank the many bystanders who stopped to render aid or helped in any way,” Sheriff Roy Torgerson said. “To all the first responders, thank you for your hard work and dedication handling this difficult scene. I would also like to thank all the motorists for their patience and taking alternate routes while the highway was closed until shortly after 6 p.m.”
The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
