A 10-year-old boy has died following a two-vehicle collision Wednesday morning in the Village of Lac La Belle, local authorities confirmed. The victim, identified by family and school officials as fourth-grader Jack Oudenhoven, was a passenger in a vehicle struck while attempting to navigate a turn on a major state highway.
The Village of Lac La Belle Police Department responded to reports of a crash at the intersection of State Highway 67 and McMahon Road shortly after 7:00 a.m. on March 25.
According to a preliminary investigative report, a 16-year-old male was driving a vehicle northbound on Highway 67 and had stopped to turn west onto McMahon Road. While waiting to complete the turn, the teenager’s vehicle was struck by another northbound car driven by a 34-year-old man.
Oudenhoven, who was seated in the rear of the stopped vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency medical services transported both drivers and a second passenger from the teenager’s car to local hospitals for treatment. Their current conditions have not been released.
“This is a devastating situation for our community,” said a spokesperson for the Lac La Belle Police. Authorities noted that all parties involved are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. No charges have been filed at this stage.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as first responders attempted life-saving measures. Laurene Gunderson, a local resident, told reporters she heard the impact from her home. “I took a peek and I seen [the] ambulance trying to revive somebody,” Gunderson said, describing the incident as “devastating.”
The Oconomowoc Area School District released a statement mourning the loss of the student, describing him as a “smart, well-liked, and athletic child” who was deeply connected to his teachers and peers.
In a statement provided to school officials, the Oudenhoven family confirmed that Jack would become an organ donor, a decision intended to provide a “legacy of life” following the tragedy.
The intersection of Highway 67 and McMahon Road has been a point of local concern regarding traffic speed and turn safety. While investigators have not yet cited speed or distraction as definitive factors, the crash remains under active reconstruction by local law enforcement.
The school district has deployed grief counselors to support students and staff as the community processes the loss of the young athlete and scholar.
