Washington County livestock hauler crash, 2 killed

A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman were killed in a crash involving an SUV and a livestock hauler that happened Saturday, May 20 at Highway 144 and County Trunk H in the Town of Farmington in Washington County.

It happened shortly after noon.

The sheriff said four people in the SUV were found with critical injuries at the scene and Flight for Life was put on standby. 

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The two rear passengers in the SUV were pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Sheriff's officials said the girl was from Weston and the boy from Schofield. The driver of the SUV was a woman, 18, from Wausau. The other person in the SUV was a girl, 17, from Wausau. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance and the surviving passenger was transported by helicopter.

The driver and passenger in the livestock hauler, a man, 19 and a boy, 17, both from Farmington, were not hurt.

An investigation revealed the livestock hauler was going north on Highway 144 loaded with cattle. The SUV was headed east on County Trunk H and stopped at the stop sign at the intersection. Sheriff's officials said the SUV abruptly pulled out in front of the livestock hauler, and the SUV was hit on the passenger side, going down an embankment in the ditch line. The tractor-trailer went off the road and overturned in the ditch, and several cattle were ejected. Two died due to the crash and one was euthanized due to serious injuries. The loose cattle were corralled by good Samaritans.

Officials said alcohol and speed to not appear to have been factors.