Teen Pedestrian Fatally Struck After Dispute on I-41 in Friendship, Wisconsin

Modified Date: 
Fri, 01/24/2025 - 12:14pm
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Names, preliminary cause of deadly crash on I-41 in Fond du Lac released

The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the crash, and says that the driver of the vehicle that hit the passenger is cooperating with the investigation.

On an undisclosed date, a tragic incident unfolded on a highway in Friendship, Wisconsin, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy. The incident began when a southbound vehicle operated by Glenn Wheaton, 59, of Detroit, stopped in the traffic lane on the median side due to an argument between passengers. The situation escalated when multiple occupants, including Desmond Wilson, 31, a 15-year-old girl, and the 14-year-old victim, all exited the vehicle. During the roadside dispute, the teenage boy stepped into the traffic lane and was struck by another southbound vehicle driven by Evan Finnegan, 20, of Wauwatosa. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, and Finnegan is cooperating with their ongoing investigation.

Location and Infrastructure - The incident occurred on a major highway in Friendship, Wisconsin, within Fond du Lac County's jurisdiction. This area typically experiences significant through traffic as a key route connecting various Wisconsin municipalities. The presence of a median suggests this is a divided highway with multiple lanes in each direction, designed for higher-speed traffic flow. The location where the vehicle stopped - on the median side while still in the traffic lane - created a particularly hazardous situation, especially during conditions when visibility might be compromised.

Legal Rights and Considerations - Wisconsin's wrongful death statutes (Wis. Stat. § 895.03) allow surviving family members to pursue compensation for losses resulting from a fatal accident. The state's comparative negligence law (Wis. Stat. § 895.045) may affect claim outcomes based on each party's degree of responsibility. Survivors typically have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Potential compensation could include funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress damages. Insurance considerations may involve multiple policies, including the stopped vehicle's liability coverage and the striking vehicle's coverage. An experienced Fond du Lac County injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

 

Related Resources:

  • Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office: Emergency Response and Investigation
  • Wisconsin DOT: Highway Safety Resources and Traffic Regulations
  • Wisconsin Office of Crime Victim Services: Support for Affected Families
  • Wisconsin State Bar Association: Legal Resources for Accident Victims
Roadway: 
I-41