Clark County Sheriff’s Office release

NEILLSVILLE – One person is dead after the truck he was driving was involved in a crash on State Hwy 29 by French Town Avenue in the town of Longwood.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of the crash at about 8:49 a.m. on Feb. 24. Initial investigation indicated a pickup truck, being driven by Ambrose A. Schuh, 84, was westbound on State Hwy 29 when he signaled a right hand turn as he approached French Town Ave. A milk truck being driven by Todd M. Purgett, 51, was traveling behind Ambrose and moved to the left lane. Ambrose discovered he was turning the wrong way on French Town Ave. and decided to turn left from the right lane in front of the milk truck. The milk truck struck Ambrose’s vehicle on the driver’s side and both vehicles entered the median.

Purgett was uninjured, while Schuh was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Schleifer. Ambrose had four other people in the vehicle with him – two 16-year-olds, one with minor injuries and the other with serious injuries; an 18-year-old, with minor injuries; and a 50-year-old with no injuries.

The 16-year-old with serious injuries was transported by ambulance to the Marshfield Medical Center.

Failure to yield right of way and improper turn appear to be factors in the accident. The two drivers were wearing seatbelts, along with the 50-year-old. The two 16-year-old and the 18-year-old passengers were not wearing seatbelts.

The Owen-Withee-Curtiss Area Fire Department and Ambulance Service responded to the scene with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Marshfield Fire Ambulance, and Coroner Richard Schleifer. The Investigation is continuing by the Clark County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s Office, along with the State Patrol.

This is the second traffic fatality for Clark County in 2018.