La Crosse County, WI (August 13, 2024) – Authorities say that one person is dead, and two others are hurt following a two-vehicle crash in La Crosse.

According to a press release from the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, on August 12, at 2:15 p.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash, initially involving a passenger vehicle and a box truck, at the intersection of County Highway M and County Highway B in the Town of Hamilton. In one vehicle, authorities found the driver, identified as 75-year-old David Helgesen, unconscious. His passenger, identified as 71-year-old Judy Bernett, was reported to be hurt.

In the other vehicle, 47-year-old Joseph Northwood was found to be hurt and trapped. All three people are taken from the scene due to the injuries they suffered. Helgesen was later pronounced dead at Gundersen Health System, the press release added. An inquiry into the cause of the crash is still underway in the meantime. However, no further details have been provided so far.

We extend our deepest condolences to David Helgesen's loved ones. Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their family members in hopes of their full recovery.

Fatal Truck Accidents in Wisconsin

An auto accident involving a typical passenger vehicle or even motorcycle is bad enough, but crashes usually become significantly more deadly and severe when they also involve an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or any other large commercial vehicle. Serious injuries and deaths are common outcomes associated with these weighty, oversized vehicles. A truck accident can change your life in an instant, whether you or a loved one is involved.

The costs of medical care and vehicle repairs are only the beginning, which is why it is crucial to determine who is liable for an 18-wheeler or semi-truck collision. And although drivers and their trucking companies are subject to several safety requirements, these rules aren't always followed. For example, one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue, generally due to drivers who stay on the road longer than permitted to stay on their schedules.

Other reasons for truck accidents are defective machinery, inclement weather, or malfunctioning traffic signals. In other words, liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking firm, the truck (or trailer) owner, or even a municipal government that fails to maintain roadways property. If the vehicle or component maker supplied defective equipment or neglected to perform proper maintenance, they can also be held accountable for a crash caused by such defects.

No matter the cause of a truck collision, our staff at the Paul Benson Law Firm is ready to assist, advise, and defend injured victims at every step of an accident claim. In addition to this, we help bereaved families who lost a loved one in a truck accident. Paul Benson is a skilled personal injury attorney who is well-versed in Wisconsin state law on wrongful death and truck accident claims. Furthermore, Paul Benson will do everything in his power to protect your rights and assist you in securing your fair, full recompense to cover burial costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages as well. Call our La Crosse County truck accident lawyer at (608) 208-6844 to fully review your available legal options following a truck crash that has tragically claimed the life of your loved one.

Notes: Our writing team utilizes secondary sources, including local news reports, police reports, social media platform posts, and eyewitness accounts to gather information about accidents in Wisconsin. It's essential to clarify that our firm has not independently verified the specifics of this particular incident. Therefore, if you discover any inaccuracies in our post, we encourage you to reach out to The Paul Benson Law Firm so that we can promptly rectify any errors. Additionally, we are willing to remove the post upon request. 

Disclaimer: If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Please note that this post is not intended as a solicitation for business. The information provided here does not constitute legal or medical advice. Furthermore, the photograph accompanying this post is unrelated to the accident scene described.