A devastating single-vehicle collision in Lebanon Township, Waupaca County, resulted in one fatality and one serious injury on Wednesday night. According to the Waupaca County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred at approximately 10:34 PM at the intersection of Buelow Road and County Highway T. The vehicle was traveling southbound on Buelow Road when it struck a utility pole. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the driver had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the location. The passenger's injuries were severe enough to require emergency airlift transportation to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah. Law enforcement officials have indicated that alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Buelow Road and County Highway T is situated in the rural Township of Lebanon, located in the southeastern portion of Waupaca County. This area is characterized by its agricultural landscape and scattered residential properties. County Highway T serves as a major connector route for local traffic, while Buelow Road provides access to residential areas and farmland. The intersection is regulated by standard traffic control signage, typical of rural county highway crossings. The area's rural nature means limited street lighting is present, and drivers must exercise additional caution during nighttime hours. The proximity of utility poles to the roadway is common in rural Wisconsin road configurations.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin law, accidents involving suspected alcohol impairment can lead to both criminal charges and civil liability claims. Victims and their families may be entitled to pursue compensation through multiple channels, including personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, liability insurance, and potentially uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system, where parties can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Wisconsin is three years from the date of the accident, while wrongful death claims must be filed within two years. Potential compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses in cases of fatality. An experienced Waupaca County personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Single-vehicle accidents present unique challenges in personal injury claims, particularly when passengers seek compensation. While passengers generally maintain clear rights to pursue claims against the driver's insurance, the absence of another vehicle can limit the total available insurance coverage to a single policy. This becomes especially critical in cases involving serious injuries that exceed the policy limits. Additionally, insurance companies may scrutinize these claims more intensely, looking for contributing factors such as road conditions, vehicle maintenance issues, or possible mechanical failures that could shift liability to other parties like municipalities or manufacturers. When alcohol is suspected, as in this case, the passenger's knowledge of the driver's impairment may be questioned, potentially affecting the claim's value through comparative negligence arguments. However, this defensive strategy must be balanced against Wisconsin's strong public policy of protecting passengers who may have limited transportation options, particularly in rural areas.

Related Resources

• Emergency Services:
  • Waupaca County Sheriff's Office: (715) 258-4466
  • ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah: (920) 729-3100
  • Waupaca County Emergency Management: (715) 258-4464
• Traffic Safety Resources:
  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation Highway Safety Program
  • Waupaca County Highway Department
  • Wisconsin State Patrol Northeast Region
• Support Services:
  • Wisconsin MADD Victim Services: (877) 623-3435
  • Waupaca County Victim/Witness Assistance Program
  • Wisconsin Road Safety Programs
• Legal References:
  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Reports
  • Wisconsin State Legislature Traffic Code (Chapter 346)
  • Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles Accident Guide