Waterville, WI (August 7, 2023) – A 12-year-old Waseca girl lost her life in a fatal traffic accident on Friday, August 4. At approximately 2:40 p.m., the incident occurred on Highway 10.
According to information provided by the Pepin County Sherriff’s Office, one vehicle caught fire on the highway near Sylvester Road. Several individuals were trapped inside the car, including children.
Police say the initial report shows that a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, operated by Ethan R. Whitwam, 18, from Durand, was headed east on Highway 10 when it crossed over into the westbound lanes of the highway and was involved in a head-on collision with a Chevrolet Silverado.
Four family members, all of the Passon family, were present in the Silverado at the time of the collision. Three separate passers-by, all with medical training, stopped at the scene and worked to free the victims from the car. Steven M. Passon, 40, who was driving the Silverado, was transported to a hospital in Eau Claire by helicopter with critical injuries.
Jessica A. Passon, age 36, was a passenger in the Silverado. She was treated and released from an Eau Claire hospital. A 12-year-old girl, also of the Passon family, was pronounced deceased on-site. An 8-year-old boy believed to be the son of Jessica and Steven, and the brother of the 12-year-old girl, suffered critical injuries in the collision and was taken to a hospital in Minneapolis by helicopter.
Whitwam was also pronounced deceased at the crash scene.
We want to offer our sincere condolences to the family members of the deceased victims.
Wisconsin Car Wrecks
Nobody ever expects to find out that their loved one has been taken from them prematurely in a fatal car accident. However, this is a reality that many individuals face every year due to fatal car accidents. In 2022, statistics showed that 595 people were killed in fatal car accidents in Wisconsin, and many others were injured. Many family members wonder how they will move forward after losing a loved one in an accident. There are many options available for them at this time.
Many lives are taken each year due to fatal car accidents in the state of Wisconsin. Almost all fatal car accidents are fully preventable but happen due to many different reasons, such as the following:
- Distracted driving
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
If you have lost a loved one, you and your family will likely be left with a wide array of questions. You may wonder how you can hold a party liable for their acts, as well as what deadlines you will have to meet in your case. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you should speak with a Waterville wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
At Zerbst & Kluck, S.C., our attorneys are here to assist you and your family after you have sustained the enormous loss of a loved one in an accident. Proving fault in a fatal accident is not always easy, which is why we will provide you with the resources that you need to move forward. There are specific parties who are able to bring these claims and laws that must be followed, which is why you should always have legal help on your side. Please contact a wrongful death attorney in Allouez at (608) 471-5365 to find out what options are available for you.
Note: When writing this accident news article, our writers utilized secondary sources, including local news sources, local and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and, occasionally, eyewitness reports. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts pertaining to this accident. If you locate any information in this post that is inaccurate, please contact Zerbst & Kluck, S.C., right away. The article will be updated with the correct information immediately. If requested, we will take down this post.
Disclaimer: This post is intended to be informational. None of the information provided within this post is meant to be legal or medical advice. The picture used in this blog was not taken at this accident scene. This is not a business solicitation.