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Pecatonica Administrator killed in accident
Benton resident 2nd traffic fatality in Lafayette Co. in 2013
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On June 25 at 2:41 P.M. the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a motor vehicle crash on STH 11 near Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Benton Township.  Sheriff’s Dispatchers alerted Benton First Responders, Benton Fire Department personnel and the Hazel Green Ambulance Service to respond to the scene along with Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputies and a WI State Patrol Trooper.

      The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2008 Volkswagon Beetle was being driven west on STH 11.  The vehicle was observed to have swerved to the right and then the driver appeared to take corrective actions, however, the vehicle continued to move across the eastbound lane and then it went off of the south side of roadway when it struck a tree and overturned.

      The driver of the vehicle, Gary A. Neis, age 54, of Benton, was pronounced dead at the scene.  There were no other occupants in his vehicle at the time of the crash.

      Neis is currently the Superintendent of the Pecatonica School District at Blanchardville.

Neis, a native of Cuba City, grew up in Benton. He had been the Pecatonica district administrator since 2008. He was a teacher and superintendent in Benton, and also taught in the Iowa–Grant School District.

Services were held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Benton Saturday. Casey Funeral Home of Benton was in charge of arrangements.

      This is the second fatal traffic crash on Lafayette County roadways this year.  The investigation of this crash is continuing by the Lafayette County Coroner’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office.