A Sauk County man died Monday morning in a two-vehicle crash that shut down part of Highway 71 in the town of Wilton for more than five hours, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. 

At about 9:22 a.m., the Monroe County Communications Center received a report of an accident involved a semi-tanker and a SUV near the Wilton Rod & Gun Club.The investigation determined that the SUV had been westbound on Highway 71 when it crossed the centerline of the highway and went head on into the semi, which was headed eastbound. The driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased at the scene.The driver from the semi sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A large amount of debris was scattered across the highway, causing Highway 71 to be shut down for almost six hours for investigative purposes, removal of the vehicles, and cleanup of the scene. 

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Monroe County Communications Center, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wilton Fire Department, Wilton Ambulance, Tomah Ambulance, Monroe County Emergency Management, and the Monroe County Highway Department. The incident remains under investigation.