Hudson Township, WI (June 24, 2026) – A 63-year-old man died after a pickup truck left the roadway and went down a wooded embankment in Hudson Township on Sunday morning.
According to the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the 700 block of Badlands Road at approximately 8 a.m. Upon arrival, they located a pickup truck down an embankment.
Investigators identified the driver as Dennis Swenby of Downing. He was trapped inside the vehicle and showed no signs of life when crews reached him. The St. Croix County Medical Examiner pronounced him dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that the pickup had been traveling westbound on Badlands Rd when it crossed the center line and entered the south ditch before descending the wooded slope. Officials said Swenby was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck.
The fatal collision remains under investigation as investigators continue to review the circumstances leading up to it. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dennis Swenby.
How Leaving the Roadway Can Lead to Serious or Fatal Crashes
Roadway-departure crashes occur when a vehicle leaves its travel lane and enters a shoulder, ditch, embankment, or other roadside terrain. These collisions can be especially severe because vehicles may strike trees, steep slopes, utility poles, or other fixed objects.
Several factors can contribute to a vehicle leaving the roadway, including driver distraction, medical emergencies, fatigue, weather conditions, or loss of vehicle control. Once a vehicle departs the pavement, uneven ground and changes in elevation can make recovery difficult.
Investigators reviewing these crashes often examine tire marks, roadway geometry, vehicle condition, and environmental factors. They may also analyze the vehicle’s path after it left the roadway to better understand the sequence of events. These findings help provide a clearer picture of how a single-vehicle crash developed and why it resulted in such serious consequences.
