Drivers killed in head-on crash between bridges
Two people were fatally injured in a head-on vehicle collision that halted traffic across the U.S. Highway 18 bridge for four and a half hours on Sunday, Nov. 27.
According to a press release, the Crawford County, Wis., Sheriff’s Office was notified at 11:22 a.m. of a two-vehicle traffic crash on U.S. Highway 18, between the bridges of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Marquette.
An investigation into the crash determined Tracy Jo Larson, 43, of Prairie du Chien, Wis., was operating a 2002 Cadillac Escalade eastbound on U.S. Highway 18 and Luke Hackman, 36, of Decorah, was operating a 2007 Chevrolet 2500HD truck westbound when the two vehicles collided head on.
The drivers of the vehicles were fatally injured as a result of the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene. Hackman’s vehicle was occupied by an adult female and two young children. The occupants escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. Larson was alone in her vehicle.
The highway was closed for approximately four and a half hours for crash scene reconstruction conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The press release stated that, based on initial statements received from witnesses on scene, the vehicle driven by Larson crossed the center line and struck Hackman's vehicle. The crash remains under investigation.
Assisting the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office were the Bridgeport, Prairie du Chien and McGregor Hook and Ladder fire departments; Gundersen, Mar-Mac, MFL and West Grant EMS; Gundersen Air; Crossing Rivers Health; Crawford County Highway Department; Wisconsin State Patrol; Prairie du Chien and Mar-Mac police departments; Clayton County Sheriff’s Office; Iowa Department of Transportation; Milo’s Towing Service; Bob’s Towing Service; and the Crawford County Coroner.
