One killed in Highway 17 accident

One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on State Highway 17 just south of Mud Lake Road.

According to the Oneida County sheriff’s office, the crash was reported at approximately 1:10 p.m.

Upon arriving at the scene, it appeared that the accident was a head-on collision and the operator of the southbound vehicle was deceased, the sheriff’s office announced in a press release.

The deceased driver was later identified as 60- year-old Mark E. Carlson of Woodbury, Minnesota.

The operator of the northbound vehicle was also injured. That individual was transported to Rhinelander Aspirus Hospital and then flown to Wausau for treatment of their injuries. Both vehicles were occupied by only the operators.  

Initial investigation and a statement made by the operator of the northbound vehicle indicate that the southbound vehicle crossed the centerline of Hwy 17, the sheriff’s office said.

The southbound vehicle was a Honda CRV and the northbound vehicle was a GMC Sierra.  

A crash reconstruction was done at the scene and Highway 17 was closed for several hours.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the medical examiner’s office, Pine Lake Fire Department and First Responders, Pelican Fire Department and First Responders, Rhinelander Medic 1, Oneida County Ambulances and the Oneida County Highway Department.

The crash remains under investigation.