Nine people are dead after they were involved in a crash on STH 95 by CTH J in the township
of Dewhurst.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call of the crash at about 7:53AM on Friday
March 8 th 2024. When Deputies arrived on scene, they saw a semi-tractor in the north ditch and
its trailer lying on its side behind it east of the intersection of CTH J facing west. There was also
a van lying on its driver’s side east of the intersection facing a north east direction in the west
bound lane that was on fire.
It’s believed the semi-tractor was east bound on STH 95 and the van was northbound on CTH J.
The van entered the intersection and was struck by the semi on its driver’s side.
The semi driver was ejected from the semi when it entered the north ditch and struck a driveway
leading to a wooded area. The trailer, which was about ¼ full of milk, spun clockwise and came
to rest on its side behind the cab of the semi. The semi driver was Daniel G. Liddicoat 51 yrs.
old from Rewey, Wisconsin and was pronounced dead at the scene by Clark County Coroner
Clarissa Rochester.
After being struck by the semi, the van tipped onto its side, skidded east on the highway and
started on fire with 2 occupants inside. The only survivor, a 2 years old child, was transported to
the Marshfield Medical Center and was released to family members today, March 11 th 2024.
There were a total of 9 people in the van at the time of the crash, 7 of which were ejected,
including our only survivor.
Of the nine people in the van, the following 8 people, all from Virginia, died at the scene:
- James K. McCoy (driver) 46 yrs. old
- Linda Byler 44 yrs. old
- Lydia Byler 24 yrs. old,
- Orla Schrock 24 yrs. old
- Ellen Schrock 23 yrs. old
- Delila Schrock 21 yrs. old
- Suzanna Hertzler 18 yrs. old
- A 6 months old child
The Merrillan First Responders and Fire Department, Black River Falls Ambulance, Hatfield Fire
Department and First Responders, Neillsville Area Ambulance and Fire Department, Marshfield
Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Scott A. Haines James A. Hirsch
Sheriff Chief Deputy
517 Court Street-Room 308, Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: 1-800-743-2420 or 715-743-5278
Confidential Tip Line: 888-847-2576 (TIP-CLSO)
Fax: 715-743-4350
Fire Department Ambulance Service all responded to the scene with the Clark County Sheriff’s
Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Clark County Emergency Management and the Clark County
Coroner’s Office.
This is the first fatal accident in 2024 for Clark County.
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