Fatal Rear-End Collision on Highway 41 Claims Life of Michael LaCourt, 64, and Allen LaViolette, 39, in Little River, Wisconsin

A tragic two-vehicle crash on Friday morning resulted in the death of a 64-year-old Oconto man on U.S. Highway 41 in Oconto County, Wisconsin. According to the Oconto County Sheriff's Office, the fatal collision occurred near the intersection with County Highway W in the Town of Little River. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a pickup truck overturned in the median and a passenger car with severe damage. Preliminary investigation revealed that the pickup truck had just turned south onto Highway 41 when it was struck from behind by the passenger vehicle operated by a 39-year-old man from Denmark, Wisconsin. The impact forced both vehicles into the median. Tragically, the 64-year-old pickup truck driver succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the passenger car was transported to a nearby hospital, though his current condition remains unknown. Law enforcement agencies, including the Oconto County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Brown County Medical Examiner's Office, have launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision took place on U.S. Highway 41, a major north-south thoroughfare that serves as a crucial transportation artery through Oconto County. The specific location near County Highway W in the Town of Little River is characterized by highway entrance ramps that require merging traffic to accelerate to highway speeds. This rural section of Highway 41 typically experiences moderate to heavy traffic flow, particularly during morning commute hours. The area features a grassy median separating northbound and southbound lanes, which may have helped prevent a potential crossover collision that could have involved additional vehicles. Highway 41 in this region has a posted speed limit of 65 mph, and the morning conditions on the day of the accident could have influenced visibility or reaction times for drivers navigating the highway entrance points where vehicles frequently merge into traffic.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin law, victims of motor vehicle accidents and their families may be entitled to compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in fatal cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship. Wisconsin operates under a modified comparative negligence system, whereby an injured party may recover damages as long as they are not more than 51% at fault for the accident. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin is generally three years from the date of the accident, while wrongful death claims must typically be filed within two years. In rear-end collision cases, the following driver is often presumed negligent unless special circumstances apply. Given that authorities have initiated a criminal investigation, potential criminal charges could impact related civil claims. Affected parties should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes in motor vehicle accidents to understand their specific legal options.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services:

  • Oconto County Sheriff's Office: (920) 834-6900
  • Oconto County Emergency Management: (920) 834-6846

• Traffic Safety Resources:

  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation Highway Safety Program: (608) 266-3048
  • Oconto County Highway Department: (920) 834-6886

• Support Services for Accident Victims:

  • Wisconsin Victim Resource Center: (800) 446-6564
  • ADRC of Oconto County (for elderly or disabled victims): (920) 834-7000

• Legal and Regulatory Information:

  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation: wisconsindot.gov
  • Wisconsin State Legal Statutes: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes