A tragic accident occurred near Crivitz on Saturday night, August 29, leaving two teenagers dead and two others seriously injured. The incident took place on County Highway G, where a single-vehicle crash resulted in the loss of life.
Marinette County Dispatch was alerted to the situation around 10:55 p.m. following an iPhone crash notification that provided coordinates on Highway G in the Town of Lake. Moments later, another call was received reporting a single-vehicle crash near Loomis Road.
According to the Marinette County Sheriff's Office, the investigation revealed that Landen J. Englund, a 16-year-old from Menominee, Michigan, was driving south on the county highway when he failed to negotiate a curve and veered into the ditch, striking a tree. Englund sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
The front-seat passenger, 17-year-old Princeton J. Welty from Crivitz, also succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene. Two other passengers, one of whom was ejected from the vehicle, were transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment of serious injuries.
Sheriff Randy Miller of the Marinette County Sheriff's Office emphasized that speed was a contributing factor in the crash, which is still under investigation. The sheriff's office took to Facebook to address concerns regarding the release of the teenagers' names, explaining that the information was released following multiple notifications, as social media can often be a source of inaccurate information.
The Menominee Area Public School District shared a message with families and staff, confirming that a former student who had recently transferred schools had died in the crash. Another former student from the district was seriously injured. Superintendent Drew Buyarski expressed the district's deepest sympathies and announced that additional mental health professionals and support resources would be available for students upon their return to school on Monday.
Princeton Welty, one of the victims, was remembered for his athletic prowess, as indicated by his Hudl account, which suggests he played basketball in Crivitz. The Crivitz School District, which is set to begin classes on Tuesday, September 8, has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.
The community is reeling from the loss, with many expressing their condolences on social media platforms. The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of driving and the impact such accidents can have on families and communities.
Hope Karnopp, a journalist with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reported on the incident, and the story originally appeared on the Green Bay Press Gazette's website. The incident has sparked a discussion about road safety and the importance of driver awareness, especially in areas with challenging road conditions.
As the investigation continues, the community of Crivitz and beyond mourns the loss of young lives and wishes a full recovery to the injured survivors. The Marinette County Sheriff's Office has promised to provide updates as the investigation unfolds, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents.
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