Inattentive driving citation issued in connection with fatal crash on Highway 51

A citation for inattentive driving has been issued to the driver of a truck that struck a Toyota Camry while it was stopped in the lane of traffic on U.S. Highway 51 on July 12 waiting to turn into a private drive.

According to online court records, Brandon L. Boh, 23, of Arbor Vitae was issued the citation on Aug. 2.

The occupants of the Camry, Gregory and Audrey Bohn, both 70, of Hazelhurst, were killed as a result of the collision. An 85-year-old Hazelhurst man was also injured in the multi-vehicle crash.

According to the Oneida County sheriff’s office, a 911 call came in at approximately 2:26 p.m. Friday, July 12, reporting a multi-vehicle crash near South Blue Lake Road in Hazelhurst.

“Upon arriving at the scene, two people were found to be deceased,” sheriff’s officials said in a press release. “A third person was injured and transported to a medical facility.”

According to the sheriff’s office, witnesses at the scene reported that a northbound vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Camry, was on Highway 51, stopped in the lane of traffic, waiting to turn into a private drive when the accident occurred.

“A second northbound vehicle (a 2023 International MV 607) struck the vehicle waiting in traffic from behind, pushing the vehicle into to the southbound lane,” the release said. “A third vehicle (a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado) traveling southbound on Highway 51 struck the vehicle pushed into the southbound lane.”

The Bohns were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Jonathon P. Kopchinski, 85, of Hazelhurst, the operator of the Silverado, was transported to a local medical facility for treatment while Boh received medial treatment at the scene.

According to sheriff’s captain Tyler Young, the State Patrol is still completing an accident reconstruction and the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Young indicated the sheriff’s office does not have updated information on Kopchinski’s condition.

The inattentive driving citation includes a fine totaling $195.90.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].