A fatal collision on Highway 14 eastbound in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, claimed one life and left another person seriously injured on Thursday morning. The Fitchburg Police Department reported the serious crash at approximately 9:45 a.m., which occurred on the eastbound lanes between McCoy Road and Lacy Road. When Fitchburg Fire Rescue crews arrived on scene, they discovered two vehicles with significant damage blocking the eastbound lanes. A 40-year-old driver suffered severe injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead, while a second individual involved in the crash was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The crash forced authorities to completely shut down the eastbound lanes of Highway 14 for approximately four hours while emergency personnel worked the scene and investigators gathered evidence. The Fitchburg Police Department has launched an investigation into the circumstances and cause of the collision. The extended road closure impacted morning and early afternoon traffic in the area as commuters were diverted around the crash scene.

Location and Infrastructure

Highway 14 serves as a major east-west corridor through Fitchburg, a growing suburb located on the southern edge of the Madison metropolitan area in Dane County. The stretch of Highway 14 between McCoy Road and Lacy Road is a busy commercial and commuter route that handles significant daily traffic volumes, connecting residential neighborhoods to shopping centers, businesses, and the greater Madison area. This section of highway features multiple lanes in each direction and intersects with several major roadways that provide access to surrounding communities. The area experiences heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours as commuters travel between Fitchburg, Verona, and Madison. Traffic control devices including signals, signage, and lane markings are present throughout this corridor. The highway's role as a primary arterial road means that any serious incident can quickly impact traffic flow throughout the southern Madison region.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin law, fatal traffic accidents trigger multiple legal considerations for surviving family members and injured parties. Wisconsin Statutes Section 895.04 allows certain family members to pursue wrongful death claims when a person dies due to another party's negligence or wrongful act. These claims must typically be filed within three years of the date of death under Wisconsin's statute of limitations for wrongful death actions. Survivors may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship and society, lost financial support, and medical expenses incurred before death. The seriously injured individual may pursue personal injury claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical needs under Wisconsin Statutes Section 893.54, which generally provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning injured parties can recover damages if they are less than 51% at fault for the accident. Insurance coverage may include liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical payments coverage, all of which could apply depending on the circumstances of the collision. 

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Fitchburg Fire Rescue: Emergency services and fire protection
• Fitchburg Police Department: (608) 270-4300
• UW Health and SSM Health: Regional trauma centers serving Dane County

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) - Highway Safety Program
• Dane County Traffic Safety Commission
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Madison Post

Support Services:

• Dane County Victim Witness Services: Support for victims and families affected by traffic crashes
• Wisconsin Office of Victim Services: Resources and assistance for crime and accident victims
• Local grief counseling and trauma support services through area hospitals

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 346 (Rules of the Road)
• Wisconsin DOT Crash Report Information
• Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles