CAMERON, Wis. (WEAU) – A 14-year-old girl is dead and three other teenagers are hurt after a single-vehicle rollover crash Monday night in Barron County.
According to a release from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, one of the four teenagers in the vehicle at the time of the crash has passed away.
The Sheriff’s Department said that they were notified at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office about the death.
Local residents said they heard the crash.
“I was watching football. I heard something sounding like a loud rattle and it was just big cranking and then I looked out the window and saw a big cloud of dust,” Darren Lucas said. “I told my wife that I think somebody had an accident and we took off, went over there, we heard somebody yell ‘call 911.’”
“We had two helicopters that came in and landed right out here on this land and there were firetrucks and cops and ambulances,” Jane Fink said.
A 15-year-old girl and another 14-year-old girl were flown to hospitals with serious injuries Monday night. The 16-year-old driver, a boy, had minor injuries due to the crash and was taken into custody on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
“One helicopter landed and then another helicopter came in and it was just, it was chaotic,” Lucas said. “I mean, there was pieces, parts everywhere. I mean, just the rescue EMT, they did a great job. They were on right when they got there and it’s just scary.”
The Rice Lake Area School District released a statement saying the girl who died was a student at the Rice Lake High School. The following statement is below:
CAMERON, Wis. (WEAU) – Three teenage girls are seriously hurt after a single-vehicle rollover crash Monday night, and the 16-year-old boy behind the wheel has been arrested.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called to the scene of 16 1/2 Avenue near 19 3/4 Street just north of Cameron around 7 p.m. Monday night.
According to a release, investigators said the 16-year-old driver was speeding down 16 1/2 Ave. when he lost control, causing the car to roll several times. Three girls, ages 15, 14 and 14, were passengers in the car and seriously injured. Two of them were flown to Regions hospital in St. Paul and are in critical condition. The third was taken to LMC and later flown to Marshfield Hospital with serious injuries.
The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries, and taken into custody. He is being recommended for a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance causing injury. He is currently being held in the Eau Claire Detention Facility while the case is being reviewed by the Barron County DA.
The crash is under investigation by the Barron County Sheriff’s Department. The Wisconsin State Patrol is reconstructing the crash.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families involved,” Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said.
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