16-year-old killed, 17-year-old hospitalized in Vernon County crash where speed, alcohol and no seatbelts possible factors

A 16-year-old passenger was killed over the weekend in a rollover crash near Elroy, Wis., while the 17-year-old driver was injured.

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson said the driver lost control of the Ford F-250 on a curve of County Road WW, reportedly late Saturday night or early Sunday.

Neither appear to have been wearing seatbelts. The sheriff’s office said speed, alcohol and vehicle equipment may have been factors in the crash.

The vehicle struck an embankment and rolled over several times. One or both occupants of the truck may have been ejected during the accident.

The 16-year-old passenger died at a Hillsboro hospital shortly after the crash.

The driver was flown from Hillsboro to the UW hospital in Madison.

More information on the accident may be released Monday.

Four people have died in Vernon County traffic accidents this year. The county had a total of four traffic deaths during 2023. More than 360 persons have been killed on Wisconsin roads this year, as of Labor Day weekend.