Fatal Car Crash, Sauk County

On May 14, 2015 at 2:05 P.M. the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash on USH 12 in the Town Of Sumpter.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Duane C. French, age 82 of Madison, was driving southbound on USH 12 in the left land.  At this time a “white” vehicle driving southbound in the right hand lane passed the French vehicle.  After overtaking the French vehicle the “white” vehicle moved to the left lane cutting off French.  French veered to the left to avoid a collision with the “white” vehicle and traveled onto the shoulder of the road.  French lost control of the vehicle, crossed both southbound lanes, left the roadway on the right shoulder and struck a tree.

French’s wife, Elaine I. French, age 83, was a passenger in the vehicle.  Both Duane and Elaine were transported from the scene by ambulance.  At 1:01 A.M. on 05/15/15 Elaine died at the UW Hospital in Madison as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.

The “white” vehicle did not stop after the crash.  It was describe as an older Jeep, white in color, with a spare tire on the cargo gate.  If anyone has information about the crash or the Jeep, please contact the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office or Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-TIP-SAUK.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Sauk City Fire Department, Sauk Prairie EMS, Baraboo EMS, and Wisconsin State Patrol.

Sheriff Chip Meister