News: Clark Co. - Heavy Rain (Three Deaths - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Jurceka, Malinowski, Schleifer

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/27/2012

Heavy Rains Wash Out Road (Three Fatalities - 21 June 2012)

Three people are dead after two-vehicles crashed into an area where the road appeared to have washed out due to heavy rains. On Thursday, June 21, at approximately 1:35 a.m., the Clark County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call reporting two vehicles were located in the wash out on County Road M approximately one and a half miles north of County Road I.

Initial investigation indicates a northbound Ford Ranger truck crashed first into the washout. These victims were identified as Thomas J. Jurceka, 56, and Susan Jurceka, 57, both of Milwaukee. It appears the second vehicle, a Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Mary A. Malinowski, 24, Thorp, was also northbound when it crashed in the same area. The suburban landed directly on top of the Jurceka vehicle. Seatbelts were used in the Jurceka vehicle and speed does not appear to be a factor in the crash. There were no survivors in the vehicles.

It is unknown what caused the roadway to wash out. It is reported approximately three inches of rain fell in a short period of time. The washout area was approximately 50 feet wide and bout 12-15 feet deep.

All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene by Clark County Coroner Richard Schleifer. The Greenwood Fire and Ambulance, Marshfield Fire and Rescue and Spirit of Marshfield all assisted at the scene.

The Sheriff’s department is continuing the investigation in an attempt to determine the times of the crashes. These are the first traffic fatalities in Clark County for 2012.