A Wednesday morning commute on Highway 67 at McMahon Road near Oconomowoc turned tragic when a 10-year-old boy was killed in a two-vehicle crash. A smaller car driven by a 16-year-old was stopped to make a left turn when it was hit from behind, and neighbors described a chaotic scene as emergency crews rushed in. Flowers now sit at the roadside, marking the spot where the child was found and where first responders tried to save his life.
According to WISN 12 News, the vehicle that rear-ended the smaller car was a large SUV driven by a 34-year-old man who "slammed into the back" of it shortly before 7 a.m. The outlet reports the 10-year-old, seated in the back, may have been ejected in the collision. The 34-year-old driver, the 16-year-old behind the wheel of the smaller car, and a front-seat passenger were all taken to hospitals. As of Wednesday, police had not said whether any arrests or citations were issued in connection with the wreck.
"Devastating. Very, very devastating," said Laurene Gunderson, a neighbor who lives closest to the crash site, speaking to WISN 12 News as rescue crews worked to revive the victims. Dispatch audio described "a child laying face-down in a driveway," and initial responders feared the worst as they arrived, the station reported. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Oconomowoc School District had not responded to repeated requests for comment about the school-age victims.
Highway 67 Safety Concerns
The stretch of Highway 67 near Lac La Belle has already been on the radar for safety worries this year. Earlier in 2026, an investigation was launched after drivers reported bullets striking cars along that road. As WTMJ reported in January, residents and officials in the corridor between Oconomowoc and Ashippun had grown increasingly alarmed by multiple incidents.
Highway 67 has also seen several serious crashes in prior years, including collisions that triggered medical flights, highlighting longstanding concerns for drivers on that route. CBS 58 detailed one such case in which a vehicle was pinned against a tree and a patient was airlifted to Children’s Hospital.
Investigation Ongoing
Lac La Belle police say the crash remains under investigation and have not released further details about what led up to the impact or whether charges are being considered. Investigators typically look at vehicle damage, physical evidence at the scene, and witness accounts as they work to reconstruct a crash, but authorities have not yet commented on specifics in this case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement as the inquiry continues.
