Sheriff releases names of crash victims

Metro Wire Staff

One man is dead following a two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 10 East.

Crews were first called to the scene, the 7400 block of Hwy. 10 in Custer, near County Materials in Custer, at 12:37 p.m. on Sept. 27, and saw a crash involving two semi-trucks in the eastbound lanes.

According to a news release from the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, one cab was fully engulfed when crews arrived. Emergency responders extinguished the fire and secured the scene.

After a preliminary investigation, the sheriff’s office said one truck was exiting a nearby business and traveling east on Hwy. 10 when they were struck from behind by the second truck. The operator of the first truck, 56-year-old Daniel Gruse from Winnebago Co., sustained minor injuries.

The operator of the second truck, 51-year-old Travis Hoffine from Richland Co., died as a result of the crash.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Town of Stockton Fire/EMS, Village of Plover Fire/EMS, Portage County Ambulance, Amherst Fire Department, Amherst Traffic Incident Management Team, Portage County Highway Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The investigation is ongoing.