Updated News Release - CTH A Fatality Crash

UPDATED NEWS RELEASE

CTH A FATALITY CRASH

November 1, 2021

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office is releasing additional information regarding the single vehicle traffic crash on County Highway A which occurred on Friday, October 29th in the Town of Fairfield.  The crash involved a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt that had been traveling northbound on CTH A.  The vehicle swerved right and entered the east side ditch, rotating clockwise as it continued to travel north leading with the vehicle’s driver’s side.  The vehicle then struck a tree, causing significant damage.  Due to the structural damage and compromised passenger compartment, emergency responders had to extricate the five trapped occupants from the vehicle. 

The operator of the vehicle was Atreyu E. Ortiz, age 20, of rural Baraboo, Wisconsin.  Ortiz was deceased upon the arrival of first responders.

The front passenger seat occupant was a 17-year-old female from Baraboo.  She was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a regional medical center in Madison by UW Medflight.  She died from injuries sustained in the crash the following day, on Saturday, October 30.

The rear middle seat passenger was a 17-year-old male from rural Baraboo.  He was extricated from the vehicle and first responders provided emergency medical care.  The life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and he died at the scene.

The rear left passenger was a 17-year-old female from Baraboo.  She was extricated from the vehicle and transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

The rear right passenger was Roy S. Goodbear, age 21, of Madison, Wisconsin.  Goodbear was extricated from the vehicle and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. 

The preliminary investigation has revealed that speed and driver strategy were causal factors in this crash.  The investigation into other contributing factors is ongoing pending further analysis.  The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team, Patrol and Detective Divisions are continuing the investigation into this crash.

The three 17-year-olds involved in this crash are members of the Senior Class at Baraboo High School.  The Sheriff’s Office has been working collaboratively with the School District of Baraboo Administrative Team in sharing information needed for the District to support the school community during this difficult time.  Additional counselors and support staff have been provided for students and staff by the District. 

We have provided the Baraboo School District with the names of the students involved.  The District has been in communication with the families involved and may be releasing names in future communications.  Any names released by the Baraboo School District have been verified by the Sheriff’s Office.

Chip Meister

Sauk County Sheriff