A motor vehicle collided with a horse-drawn buggy at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25, on Highway 82, near Pine Avenue, in rural Hillsboro, in the town of Union, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson
Lydia E. M. Thompson, 22, of rural Sparta and Jaydon Alan Shea, 20, of La Farge were the occupants of a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze passenger car traveling east on Highway 82. The vehicle struck a westbound buggy head-on, in the westbound lane, on a curve.
Henry F. Bontrager, 29, and Ruth J. Bontrager, 29, both of rural Hillsboro, occupied the horse-drawn vehicle and were ejected from the buggy, which came to rest in the roadway. The passenger car went off the north side of the roadway and traveled down an embankment, where it came to rest.
Lydia Thompson, Jaydon Shea, and Ruth Bontrager were transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro by La Farge Area Ambulance. Henry Bontrager was pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh. Ruth Bontrager was later transferred to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
The horse also died because of the crash.
Assisting the sheriff’s office at the scene were the La Farge Fire Department, the La Farge Area Ambulance, the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit, the Town of Union, and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.
Several concerned citizens stopped to render aid and protect the scene until emergency personnel arrived. Gundersen Air also was requested but was unable to fly due to weather conditions.
Highway 82 at the crash scene was closed until shortly before midnight, when all units were clear. In addition to their initial response, the La Farge Fire Department remained on scene, providing essential emergency lighting and traffic control.
Sheriff Torgerson said, “My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Not limited to these folks, I would like to thank the 911 dispatchers, deputies, troopers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, busy hospital staff, tow truck operators, and everyone that responded to include the concerned citizens.”
No further details will be released pending the outcome of the investigation, which continues by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Vernon County Coroner’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
