Wisconsin
Deadly car crashes take surprising downturn in Wisconsin from 2023
WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Both the number of deadly crashes and the number of deaths in those crashes have declined in Wisconsin so far this year compared to previous years, according to recent data released by authorities.
From 2019 to 2023, the average number of deadly crashes compared to the same period this year has decreased by approximately 20 percent. As of last week, there have been 87 deadly car crashes on Wisconsin roads, resulting in the loss of 106 lives.
However, these figures mark a drop from previous years. Between 2019 and 2023, Wisconsin’s average number of deadly crashes between April 14 and New Year’s was about 109, indicating a 20.33 percent decrease this year. Additionally, there has been a 24.35 percent drop from last year to this year.
There’s no one certain explanation for the drop, but there are theories.
“One factor that plays into it with the winter months is the lack of winter that we’ve had and the decrease in snow,” Officer Matthew Grover with the Wausau Police Department said.
Other factors could include police initiatives.
“Over the past few months, there have been several state grants for OWI details, which are primarily focused on impaired driving and can be a high cause of deaths,” Grover said. “Those increased enforcements help to remove some of those drivers from the roads.”
However, authorities emphasize that individual behavior also plays a significant role.
“Wearing your safety belts can make a big difference between a crash being just an injury crash or being a fatal crash,” Grover added.
Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.
Flood warnings persist in parts of Wisconsin Sunday, April 26 as forecasts call for more potential storms early in the week.
The National Weather Service issued the warnings early Sunday. The warnings are in place for Rock, Dodge, Jefferson, Winnebago, Shawano, Outagamie, Waushara and Waupaca counties.
Some of the warnings are in effect until Thursday morning, April 30, while others remain in place until further notice.
The NWS urges motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded areas or around barricades.
Forecasts call for showers and a chance for a thunderstorm Monday, April 27. Skies should begin to clear up Tuesday but temperatures are expected to hover in the mid-50s and low 60s through the week.
See weather radar for Wisconsin
What to do during a flood warning
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Use a battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
- Do not walk through floodwater. Just six inches of floodwater can sweep you off your feet if it is moving swiftly.
- Turn around, don’t drown; do not drive into a flooded street. Cars can be swept away by two feet of moving water or there may be unseen damage to the road. If you come to a flooded area turn around and go another way. Most flood-related deaths are caused by people driving through water.
- Watch out for fire hazards.
- Move to higher ground.
- Stay alert, turn weather notifications on.
- Do not allow children to play in flowing water. Waters can hide rocks, trees and debris.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here
A troubling trend for the Wisconsin football continues when it comes to the NFL Draft.
In the past, it was common for Wisconsin football players to be taken early and often over the three days of the draft, but recently, the number of Badgers being taken is dwindling. And when they are, they have been late Day 3 picks.
This year the program hit rock bottom. Not one Badger got drafted in 257 selections, the first time since 1978. There was a thought that maybe a few Badgers would be picked late, but they all went undrafted.
But that doesn’t mean those players football dream is over.
As soon as that last pick is announced, players are agreeing to sign on with teams as undrafted free agents (UDFAs). As was the case with many other former Wisconsin Badgers, these players will have a shot to make an NFL roster in 2026 the hard way.
Here is where every Badger landed as an undrafted rookie after the NFL Draft was completed.
Destinations For Every Undrafted Wisconsin Badger
EDGE Mason Reiger – Signed with the Miami Dolphins – via Jordan Schultz
WR Vinny Anthony – Signed with the Atlanta Falcons – via Nick Osen, 247Sports
TE Lance Mason – Signed with the Seattle Seahawks – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
S Austin Brown – Signed with the Indianapolis Colts – via Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
OL Riley Mahlman – Signed with the Atlanta Falcons – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
CB Nyzier Fourqurean – Signed with the Los Angeles Rams – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
EDGE Darryl Peterson – Signed with the Los Angeles Rams – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
FB Jackson Acker – Signed with the Buffalo Bills – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
DL Ben Barten – Signed with the New York Giants – via Wisconsin Football
WR Jayden Ballard – Invited to minicamp with the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts – via Aaron Wilson, KPRC 2 Houston
DL Jay’Viar Suggs – Signed with the New Orleans Saints – via US Sports Management
DL Parker Petersen – Signed with the Carolina Panthers – via Wisconsin Football
K Nathanial Vakos – Invited to minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – via Wisconsin Football
This will be updated with new signings.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A Columbia County restaurant has earned the title of making Wisconsin’s best burger.
Awarded by the Wisconsin Beef Council, the Tennessee Whiskey Burger from Dump Bar and Grill in Cambria is this year’s winner.
The content promotes 100% beef burgers made in Wisconsin restaurants.
The Dump earned the highest ranking from a secret panel of three judges who travel to the elite eight restaurants.
The dump has been nominated by customers for three years in a row.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
-
Oregon6 minutes agoOregon’s lead economist talks state growth, stagnating job prospects
-
Pennsylvania12 minutes agoDog, cats die in South Shenango house fire
-
Rhode Island18 minutes ago7 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Rhode Island
-
South Dakota30 minutes agoWNBA holds preseason exhibition game in South Dakota
-
Tennessee36 minutes agoTennessee approves Summer EBT grocery benefits starting in 2027
-
Texas42 minutes agoA closer look at the destruction of overnight storms in North Texas
-
Utah48 minutes agoWhere Utah’s 2026 NFL draft class ranks in school history
-
Vermont54 minutes agoVermont has joined 49 lawsuits against the Trump administration. What have they accomplished? – VTDigger