Two people were killed and a third was critically injured in a two-car accident on Highway 27 in Eastman Township on Sunday, May 24.

Bridget Achenbach, 19, from rural Eastman was driving a 2008 Chevy Impala southbound on 27 near Messler Lane at approximately 2 p.m., according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. A 2013 Chevy Cruze driven by Kenneth Eppers, 85, Tomah, was northbound on 27.

Achenbach’s southbound car hydroplaned on the wet pavement and spun into the northbound lane, the sheriff’s department reported.

Eppers’ Chevy Cruze struck the Achenbach’s Impala in the rear.

Crawford County Coroner Joe Morovitz pronounced Achenbach dead at the scene. Bridget Achenbach was a 2014 graduate of Prairie du Chien High School and was serving as the Crawford County Fair Ambassador this year. She had just completed her first year at UW-LaCrosse.

Kenneth Eppers and his 85-year-old wife, Genevieve Eppers, had to be extricated from their car with the Jaws of Life. Both were transported to Crossing Rivers Health Care in Prairie du Chien, where the Kenneth Eppers later died from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s department.

Genevieve Eppers was transported to a hospital in LaCrosse, where she remained in critical condition on Monday.

The Wisconsin State Patrol was called to reconstruct the accident. Highway 27 was closed for more than three hours.

Assisting at the scene were the Eastman First Responders and Fire Department, Seneca Fire Department, Bridgeport Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Tri State Regional EMS, and Bob’s Towing.  The Crawford County Highway Department assisted with closing the highway.