2-Year-Old Lone Survivor Of WI Crash That Killed 9, Including Infant

CLARK COUNTY, WI — A 2-year-old child was the lone survivor of a western Wisconsin crash that killed nine people on Friday morning. The youngest fatality was identified as a 6-month-old child.

Just before 8 a.m., a semitrailer going eastbound on State Highway 95 collided with a van traveling north on County Highway J in Dewhurst Township, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

The van was carrying seven Virginia residents and a Wisconsin man. The crash killed the van’s driver, James K. McCoy, 46; Linda Byler, 44; Lydia Byler, 24; Orla Schrock, 24; Ellen Schrock, 23; Delila Schrock, 21; Suzanna Hertzler, 18; and a 6-month-old child.

Of the nine van occupants, seven were ejected in the crash, including the 2-year-old survivor.

The semi driver, identified as 51-year-old Daniel Liddicoat of Rewey, Wisconsin, was also ejected and killed.

"The van was going northbound and there was a stop sign there," Deputy James Hirsch said. "The semi was going east and the van pulled right out in front of the semi."

Nathaniel Jahn, 36, was commuting to work Friday morning when he stopped at the intersection and watched in disbelief as the van pulled into the path of the semi-trailer.

"I could hear a faint, like, whimpering sound, I remember. And it turned into a cry."

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of the crash at 7:53 a.m. Friday. Deputies arriving on the scene found a semi in a ditch with its trailer lying on its side.

The van was ablaze, lying on its driver’s side, investigators said.

The semi driver was ejected from the semi when it entered the north ditch and struck a driveway leading to a wooded area, investigators said. The trailer — about ¼ full of milk — spun clockwise and came to rest on its side behind the cab of the semi, according to authorities.

After being struck by the semi, the van tipped onto its side, skidded east on the highway and started on fire with two occupants inside, investigators said.

The 2-year-old lone survivor was transported to the Marshfield Medical Center and was released to family members on Monday. The incident marked the first fatal collision in 2024 for Clark County.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.