On Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle traffic crash on STH 35, just south of De Soto. Eugene Reinhardt (80) of De Soto, was operating a 2002 Chevrolet Astro van northbound on STH 35 and he collided into the rear-end of a 2012 Ford F550 construction truck operated by Judd Frye (45) of Rio, Wisconsin. Frye was preparing a section of the highway for repainting.
Reinhardt sustained life-threatening injuries and he was airlifted to Gundersen Health in La Crosse. Reinhardt’s vehicle was severely damaged and towed from the scene. Frye sustained minor injuries and his truck received moderate damage.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the De Soto Fire Department, De Soto First Responders, Ferryville Fire Department, Gundersen Ambulance, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, and Milo’s Towing Service.
This crash remains under investigation.