A crash on Friday afternoon resulted in the death of Laurel Elizabeth Wicks, a 47-year-old former La Crosse, Wisconsin, resident now residing in Cavour, South Dakota.
The incident occurred on Highway 35 near Mohawk Valley Road when Wicks, driving northbound in her 2005 Honda Pilot, collided with the rear of a stationary dump truck driven by Bobby E. Bendel, 59, of La Crosse.
Wicks’ vehicle sustained significant damage on the left side, trapping her inside.
Unfortunately, she did not survive, and her death was confirmed by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh at the scene.
Highway 35 was temporarily closed, and the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit conducted a post-crash inspection of the dump truck.
The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.