RIDGEWAY, Iowa County, Wis., Oct. 3, 2026 — A 48-year-old Ridgeway man died on Friday night, October 2, after being thrown from his car during a multi-vehicle crash on US 18 and US 151. Two other drivers involved in the crash were treated for injuries, one at the scene and one at a hospital.
The Iowa County Communications Center got a report of a vehicle in a ditch along US 18 and US 151 near Mile Marker 55 in the Town of Ridgeway around 8:41 p.m. A short time later, dispatchers received a second call reporting that someone had been struck by a vehicle at the same location.
An initial investigation indicates the man was driving a 2001 Honda Accord eastbound when his car left the road and went into the ditch. He then reportedly steered back into the eastbound lanes, where a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 22-year-old Verona man struck his car from behind. A 2017 Toyota Prius V driven by a 61-year-old Fitchburg woman then struck the Accord as well. The man was ejected from his vehicle during the collisions.
The Iowa County coroner pronounced the man dead at the scene. The Verona driver was treated and released at the scene. The Fitchburg driver was taken to Upland Hills Health and later released with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Eastbound US 18 and US 151 were closed for several hours while crews investigated and cleared the scene, reopening around 2:14 a.m. Saturday. The Iowa County Sheriff's Office and Wisconsin State Patrol are continuing to investigate.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Why Multi-Vehicle Crashes Frequently Start With One Car Losing Control
A pile-up rarely begins with two drivers making the same mistake at once. It usually starts with one vehicle drifting off the road, usually because of a momentary lapse, road debris, or a patch of poor visibility such as fog, blowing dust, or glare off wet pavement at night. Once that first vehicle leaves its lane, the driver's attempt to recover and steer back into traffic is where the real danger begins.
That re-entry move happens in seconds, and following drivers may have no time to react, especially in low-light conditions where depth perception and reaction time are already reduced. A car rolling back into a travel lane in the dark can be nearly invisible until headlights sweep across it, leaving almost no gap for the next vehicle to brake or swerve.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. Many of those deaths involve people thrown from a vehicle after impact, which is part of why investigators pay close attention to how and when an occupant was ejected during a chain-reaction crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes a chain-reaction crash with several vehicles?
These crashes usually start with one vehicle leaving its lane or losing control, then colliding with one or more following vehicles that have little time to stop or steer away.
Why do these pile-ups happen even when drivers are following at a safe distance?
A vehicle re-entering a travel lane unexpectedly, especially at night or in poor visibility, can appear with almost no warning, cutting down the reaction window for everyone behind it.
What should I do if I come upon a crash scene on the highway?
Slow down well before the scene, turn on hazard lights, and move over if it's safe to do so. Avoid stopping in a travel lane unless directed, and watch for responders and debris in the road.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Ridgeway, WI
If you're involved in or near a multi-vehicle crash, check yourself and any passengers for injuries before stepping out, and move to a safe area away from traffic if possible. Call 911 even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms don't show up right away.
Get checked out by a medical provider as soon as you can, even if you feel fine at the scene. Keep a record of what responded, who you spoke with, and any instructions you're given, and request a copy of the official report once it's available from the responding agency.
