Shorewood HS student killed in crash; sister suffers life-threatening injuries
Megan Frieseke
SHOREWOOD -- Shorewood High School Junior Megan Frieseke, 17, died from injuries in a car wreck near Cottage Grove -- just outside Madison -- on Sunday, March 31. Her sister Emily, 17, suffered life-threatening injuries. Students on campus Monday, April 1 described the feeling as uncomfortable. Neighbors off-campus said they're looking out for the kids.
"Most people are kind of not feeling too good about the whole situation," said Cameron Spann, a sophomore at Shorewood High School.
Shorewood High School
A day after the crash, classmates of Megan Frieseke tried to process their new reality.
"I didn't know her like that personally, but it seems like a lot of people did," Spann said.
The loss had students and staff hurting.
"So the whole school is kind of in a depressed state right now, so not a good day," Spann said.
As students left school for their lunch period, support was found in an unlikely place.
"They come in for snacks. They're really good kids and they're always in good spirits. They're just regular high school kids," said Alicia Walia, who owns a gas station near Shorewood High School.
The owner of the BP gas station told FOX6 News she heard about what happened and wanted to help in any way she could.
"I'll definitely be a little softer with them, and check in on them to see how they're doing," Walia said.
It is a painful loss that will heal with time.
"We just try to get through our day. There's nothing really we can do -- just keep the whole family in our prayers," Spann said.
Shorewood Superintendent Bryan Davis issued the following statement:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It is with great sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community. On Sunday, March 31, at approximately 11:00 am, Megan Frieseke and Emily Frieseke, 11th grade students at Shorewood High School, were involved in a multi-car accident near Cottage Grove, WI. Unfortunately, Megan did not survive the accident. Her sister, Emily, remains at UW-Madison Hospital under the care of physicians. We have reached out to the family to express our condolences and have offered our support.
To assist Shorewood High School students and staff with this tragedy, increased support from school counselors and school psychologists will be available at the high school throughout the week. If you have a student who does not attend the high school, but needs assistance, please contact the main office at your student’s school. A student support services staff member will reach out to you. Here is a link to information that may be useful to you in helping your student cope with this tragedy.
We are deeply saddened by this loss to our school community and are making every effort to provide support to our students and families. Please join us in keeping the Frieseke family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Fatal crash in Cottage Grove
Officials with the Wisconsin State Patrol said a preliminary investigation revealed a Ford Focus and Honda Pilot headed westbound lost control. The Honda Pilot went through the median and crashed into a Toyota Highlander, headed eastbound.
Megan and Emily Frieseke were passengers in the Highlander. A third passenger, a 23-year-old woman from Manitowoc, and the driver, a 23-year-old man from Shorewood, suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
A 23-year-old Hartland man was driving the Ford Focus and wasn't hurt.
A 42-year-old Madison man was driving the Honda Pilot and suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening.