GRAND CHUTE, Waupaca County, Wis., Oct. 6, 2026 — A 70-year-old Grand Chute man died on Sunday morning, October 4, after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 22 and Old Highway 22 near Waupaca, the Wisconsin State Patrol said. A woman riding with him was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The State Patrol identified the man killed as Steven Mark Fenn, 70. He was reportedly driving north on Old Highway 22 in a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander minivan at about 10:02 a.m. when he failed to yield to a 2017 Ram 1500 heading east on Highway 22. The pickup struck the driver's side of Fenn's vehicle and came to rest in the south ditch.
Fenn died at the scene. His passenger, identified as Sandra Ann Fenn, 65, also of Grand Chute, suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken by ambulance to ThedaCare for treatment.
The driver of the pickup, Joan Jane Gorges, 45, of Almond, was not injured, the patrol reported. Five children riding in her vehicle, ages 7, 8, 8, 10, and 13, also escaped injury.
The Waupaca County Sheriff's Office, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, and the Waupaca Area Fire District responded to assist at the scene. The State Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Why Right-of-Way Crashes Happen at Rural Intersections
Crashes like this one often come down to a few seconds of misjudgment at a junction where one driver has to cross or merge into another road's traffic. A driver stopped at a minor crossing has to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles correctly, and that judgment call leaves almost no room for a lapse in attention. A glance at a phone, a conversation, or even a moment of looking the wrong way can erase the gap a driver thought they had.
Distraction is especially dangerous at intersections because the decision to go is made once and acted on immediately. Unlike a rear-end scenario, where a driver might still brake late and soften an impact, a failure to yield often means pulling directly into the path of a vehicle already committed to its lane. By the time either driver recognizes the danger, there is rarely enough distance left to stop or steer clear.
Rural highway crossings like these add another layer of risk. Speeds tend to be higher than in town, sightlines can be affected by curves or crops, and drivers may not expect cross traffic the way they would at a signal-controlled intersection. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities decreased 4.3 percent from 2022 to 2023, but intersection crashes remain a persistent share of serious collisions on two-lane highways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed make intersection crashes worse?
Yes. Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and increase the force of impact, which raises the likelihood of serious injury even in a crash that might otherwise be survivable at lower speeds.
Why is distracted driving particularly risky at intersections?
Judging when it's safe to cross or merge requires full attention. A few seconds looking away from the road can mean missing an oncoming vehicle entirely, with no time left to correct the error.
How do weather and road conditions play a role in these crashes?
Wet, icy, or poorly lit roads can extend stopping distances and make it harder to judge the speed of an approaching vehicle, compounding the risk at intersections where timing already matters.
What should someone do immediately after a car accident?
Call 911, move to a safe location if possible, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries aren't immediately obvious. Document the scene if it's safe, and cooperate with responding officers.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Dayton, WI
If you're involved in a crash in the Dayton area, start by checking on everyone involved and calling 911 right away. Stay as still as possible until emergency responders confirm it's safe to move, especially if there's any chance of neck or back injury.
Even when injuries seem minor, get checked out by a medical provider. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries don't show symptoms for hours or days. Keep copies of any medical records and the official crash report for your own files.
Give yourself time to recover, physically and emotionally. A serious crash can be unsettling long after the vehicles are towed away, and reaching out to family, friends, or a counselor is a reasonable step while you sort out your next moves.
