Fatality Crash - Town of Excelsior

NEWS RELEASE

FATALITY TRAFFIC CRASH – TOWN OF EXCELSIOR

On May 12, 2023 at approximately 7:23 am, the Sauk County Communications Center received notification of a traffic crash on State Highway 23/33 near Northwoods Drive in the Town of Excelsior.  It was reported that the crash involved a truck, school bus, and student outside the bus.  Law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. 

The initial investigation revealed that a School District of Reedsburg school bus was facing westbound and was stopped to pick up a student at a residence on the north side of the highway.  The student was outside the bus and had not yet boarded the school bus.  A 2010 Ford F150 pickup truck was westbound on STH 23/33.  The truck failed to slow in time to stop behind the school bus and took evasive action to the right.  The truck sideswiped the rear right side of the school bus and continued across a driveway striking the student.  The truck continued to travel westbound in the ditch until it came to rest. 

Arriving first responders attempted life-saving measures on the student.  The student died at the scene.  The operator of the pickup truck sustained minor injuries.  The school bus was carrying students at the time and no injuries were reported to the students aboard the bus or the bus driver.

The students aboard the bus were transported to Webb Middle School for family reunification.  The School District of Reedsburg has been in communication with the families involved and will have additional resources available to support students. 

The names of those involved are being withheld pending notification of family. 

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Reedsburg Police Department, Reedsburg Area Ambulance Service, Reedsburg Fire Department, School District of Reedsburg, Wisconsin State Patrol, UW MedFlight, the Sauk County Highway Department, and the Sauk County Coroner’s Office. 

This crash remains under investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff's Office.  Anyone who witnessed this crash or with information that could assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office at 1-888-TIP-SAUK (1-888-847-7285). 

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff