Victim in last week’s crash ID’d; deputies still seeking witnesses

Metro Wire Staff

One woman has died following a two-vehicle collision at the Portage-Wood county line.

Portage Co. deputies were called to State Hwy 13/34 at County Line Rd. in the town of Carson shortly after 8 a.m. on Jan. 15 after the dispatch center was notified of the crash.

A 36-year-old woman, identified on Monday as Sara L. Budtke, died from injuries sustained in the crash, the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators say a 52-year-old motorist operating a dump truck was traveling north on Hwy. 13/34 when it slowed for an unidentified pickup truck that was turning on to County Line Rd.

The dump truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crossed the centerline, striking a southbound vehicle driven by Budtke, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The dump truck driver did not appear to be injured.

The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, Wood Co. Sheriff’s Department, Rudolph EMR, Rudolph Fire Department, United Ambulance Service, Portage County Traffic Incident Management team, and the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Technical Reconstruction Unit all responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office at 715.346.1500.