Couple killed in Highway 51 crash

A Hazelhurst couple was killed Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 51.

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

“Upon arriving at the scene, two people were found to be deceased,” sheriff’s officials announced 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 explained. “A third vehicle (a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado) traveling southbound on Highway 51 struck the vehicle pushed into the southbound lane. Both occupants in the northbound vehicle that were waiting to turn were pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The deceased were later identified as Gregory R. Bohn and Audrey J. Bohn, both 70, of Hazelhurst. 

Jonathon P. Kopchinski, 85, of Hazelhurst was injured in the crash. He was transported to a local medical facility for treatment. Brandon L. Boh, 23, of Arbor Vitae, was treated at the scene by medical personnel. 

The accident remains under investigation.