A tragic rollover crash on County Highway A early Sunday morning has left a community in mourning after a 26-year-old Montfort woman was killed.
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 2:37 a.m. when a 2007 Ford F350 traveling eastbound near Buckwheat Ridge Road left the roadway. Investigators said the vehicle struck the edge of the pavement, crossed the center line, entered the opposite ditch, and hit an embankment before rolling multiple times and coming to rest on its side.
Authorities reported that both occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the crash. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency responders’ efforts.
She has been identified as Katy Ann Schaefer of Montfort.
The driver, a 17-year-old male from rural Lancaster, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to UW Hospital in Madison for emergency treatment.
Officials believe speed may have been a contributing factor, though the crash remains under active investigation. The roadway was closed for several hours as authorities worked to reconstruct the scene and gather evidence.
The sudden loss has left family, friends, and the community devastated as they come to terms with the tragedy. Loved ones are remembering her as a young woman whose life was cut far too short, leaving behind lasting memories and deep sorrow among those who knew her.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
