PORTAGE, Wis. — A tragic head-on collision on Thursday afternoon claimed the life of an 89-year-old woman near Links Road on County Highway CM in the Town of Fort Winnebago, as confirmed by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Emergency responders were dispatched around 2:39 p.m. following reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a small SUV and a passenger car. The driver of the SUV also contacted 911 to report her minor injuries.
According to the investigation, a 22-year-old woman from Portage was traveling westbound in the SUV, while an 89-year-old man from Dalton was heading east in the passenger vehicle. Evidence suggests that the SUV crossed into oncoming traffic, resulting in the fatal crash.
The passenger car contained two individuals: an 87-year-old woman from Dalton and the 89-year-old woman from Portage, who was subsequently taken by UW Med Flight to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by officials from the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office.
The driver of the SUV sustained only minor injuries, authorities reported.
Names of those involved have not yet been disclosed as notifications to family members are still pending.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office received assistance from various agencies, including Portage Fire and EMS, the Columbia County Highway Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, UW Med Flight, and Blystone's Towing.