Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.)

December 9, 2005

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt  
 
2 killed, 1 hurt in Clark Co. crash

Marshfield News-Herald

TOWN OF MENTOR -- Two people died and another was injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening just inside the southwestern Clark County border.

Kurt B. Luedtke, 41, of Neillsville and Marilyn E. Colwell, 37, of Humbird were killed instantly in the crash about three miles southeast of Humbird.

The initial investigation indicates a southbound Jeep driven by Luedtke drifted across the centerline and collided head-on with Colwell's northbound van, said Clark County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Jim Backus.

The crash occurred at around 7:10 p.m. on the two-lane Highway 12. No one is thought to have been wearing seatbelts, according to the accident report.

A passenger in the Jeep, David A. Powers, 27, of Merrillan, was taken to the Black River Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for injuries.

A hospital official said she could not release his condition Thursday afternoon.

Colwell graduated from Neillsville High School in 1987 and at the time of her death was employed at a nursing home in Black River Falls.

Luedtke graduated from Neillsville High School in 1983. He enjoyed rifle and bow hunting and watching Nascar racing and football games. He loved to fix mechanical things like tractors and other machinery. Kurt also loved spending time with his two sons.

He worked as a truck driver and also for Russell's of Neillsville.

Backus said Thursday it is too early to tell if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The crash resulted in the sixth and seventh fatalities this year in Clark County, according to the sheriff's department.