Alcohol believed to be factor in wrong-way, head-on crash that killed two in Kenosha County



KENOSHA COUNTY (WITI) -- Two people are dead following a serious crash in Kenosha County. It happened near Highway 83 and Highway 50 on Saturday, December 6th, at approximately 6:00 p.m.

The crash occurred in the 34500 block of the westbound lanes of the divided Highway 50 in the Town of Wheatland.

At the time of the crash, a pickup truck was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic. The truck struck a westbound car in a head-on collision.

Traffic in the westbound lanes of Highway 50 was re-routed while emergency crews were on scene of the crash.

The male driver of the westbound car sustained severe injuries and was transported by ambulance to Burlington Hospital where he later passed away. His passenger was killed as a result of the crash.

The male driver of the pickup truck was initially transported by ambulance to Burlington Hospital and later flown by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital. He remains in critical condition.

Kenosha County Sheriff's officials say alcohol is believed to have been a factor in this crash.

Sheriff's officials have identified the pickup truck's driver as 36-year-old Brian Smith of Lindenhurst, Illinois. The Sheriff's Department received several 911 calls that alerted them to the wrong-way driver, but sadly, it was too late to prevent the crash.

"We had reports that it had been in that lane for several miles. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families. This is a tragic loss. (Brian Smith) is currently facing charges, including two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle," Kenosha County Sheriff's Sgt. Dan Ruth Said.

Smith will also face an OWI charge, and a traffic citation for driving the wrong way on a divided highway.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The names of those who were killed in the crash haven't yet been released.