A 66-year-old Iowa man died Sunday morning after the box truck he was driving left the roadway, struck a driveway embankment, and overturned on State Highway 35 in the Town of Bergen, authorities say. Ricky Dean Peyton of Winthrop, Iowa was driving a 2012 Freightliner box truck northbound when the crash happened around 8:45 a.m., and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the VernonReporter, the Vernon County Sheriff's Office said Peyton attempted to regain control of the truck after it left the right side of the roadway, but it struck the embankment and flipped, coming to rest on the opposite side of the highway. Peyton suffered severe injuries and was the vehicle's sole occupant, according to authorities. Motorists who stopped at the scene provided aid before emergency responders arrived, and the sheriff's office described the lifesaving efforts as extensive. Peyton was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh. Authorities said Peyton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Helicopter Lands Directly on Highway During Response
The scale of the emergency response briefly shut down one of the region's main north-south routes. Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson issued updates noting that Highway 35 was completely closed between County Trunk K and State Highway 162 so a GundersenAIR helicopter could land at the scene, with all lanes reopening at 12:30 p.m., according to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. The same report notes the highway saw both partial and full closures until shortly after noon. The Stoddard-Bergen Fire Department, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Motor Carrier Enforcement personnel all responded, with multiple agencies assisting with traffic control and communications.
The Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the Vernon County Coroner's Office are both investigating the crash.
Other Highway 35 Incidents
A separate fatal crash on Highway 35 was reported July 10, killing Aaron J. Malin, the station's report notes. Bergen is a town in Vernon County, according to Kiddle. Chipmunk Ridge Road is near the site of the 2026 crash.
The highway itself carries more than just local traffic. State Highway 35 through Vernon County is designated as part of Wisconsin's Great River Road, a 250-mile National Scenic Byway that runs through 33 towns. The Wisconsin route runs from Prescott to Kieler, according to Islands.
Seat Belt Use in the Crash
Peyton was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, authorities said.
Memorial Set for Iowa Community
Visitation for Peyton is scheduled for Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, Iowa, according to an obituary notice. The crash remains under investigation.
