WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INCIDENT
At 7:52 AM on Tuesday November 19, 2019 a crash occurred on US 8 EB/WB at Cranberry Lake
Rd. in RUSK County near WEYERHAEUSER.
Assisting agencies included Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County EMS, Lakeview Medical
Center EMS, and Weyerhaeuser Fire Department.
Wisconsin State Patrol Northwest Region Spooner Post 715-635-2141
Sent On: 11/20/2019 12:58 PM
Contact Name: Sgt. Cliff Parr or current duty supervisor
Contact Phone: 715-635-2141
Crash Information – Initial Release
Highway: US 8 EB/WB
Location: CRANBERRY LAKE RD.
County: RUSK
The crash involved 1 fatality and 1 injury. Vehicle and occupant information, if available, is on the
last page(s).
The details of the crash are as follows:
On Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at approximately 7:52 AM, a Wisconsin State Trooper responded
to a two-vehicle crash on US HWY 8 west of Cranberry Lake Road in Rusk County. A Chevrolet
Tahoe was traveling westbound on US HWY 8 when the driver lost control and eventually collided
head-on into a Dodge Ram pick-up truck which was traveling eastbound. The driver of the
Chevrolet Tahoe received fatal injuries. The driver of the Dodge pick-up truck was transported to a
local hospital and treated for incapacitating injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the
Wisconsin State Patrol. Icy road conditions may have been a contributing factor.
Case Number: 000140-8239
PARTIES INVOLVED
Unit 1: Van/SUV (1997 Chevrolet Tahoe)
Driver: Smith, Richard J
28 Year Old Male From Bruce, WI
Injuries: Fatal
Seatbelt Use: No
Alcohol Use: No
Unit 2: Pickup Truck (2014 Dodge Ram)
Driver: Peterson, Laura J
64 Year Old Female From Chetek, WI
Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
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