'It's really sad:' 2 dead following single-vehicle crash on I-41 in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Two people died following a single-vehicle crash in Washington County Tuesday night, Aug. 6. Officials with the Washington County Sheriff's Office said the driver and passenger were not wearing their seat belts when the driver lost control of a Ford Mustang lost control on I-41 between Highway 60 and Highway 144 in the Town of Polk.

Washington County sheriff's officials on Thursday identified the driver as James Debny, 66, of Fox Lake, and Daniel Luedke, 55, of Fox Lake.

All of the northbound lanes pf I-41 near Slinger were closed for four hours, beginning shortly before 10 p.m., as paramedics and law enforcement officials worked to try to save the crash victims.

When first responders got to the scene, they found one victim in the roadway, and another in the ditch.

An initial investigation revealed the vehicle first entered the median, and then crossed both lanes of traffic before striking a guardrail. The impact caused the driver and passenger to be ejected.

People who live in the nearby subdivision heard the commotion from their homes.

"Faintly, we started hearing sirens, and they got closer and closer," said Paul Larson.

Others drove by the area to get a closer look at what happened.

"We just saw the helicopter starting to land, and we saw the ambulances, fire trucks, police cars," said Isaiah Frazier.

Sheriff's officials said one of the victims died at the scene while waiting for Flight for Life. The other was pronounced dead at Froedtert Hospital.

"It's really sad, honestly," Frazier said. "Me going through high school, we're always told, 'Wear your seat belt. Do this. Do that,' and it's just like, this stuff is real."