Death of 12-year-old near Hillsboro is 20th fatal UTV or ATV crash this year in Wisconsin
The UTV overturned after losing control while curving to the right on a slightly declining gravel road, according to information released by the sheriff's office. Officials were notified of the crash on July 2 around 2:30 p.m.
An 11-year-old, the second of two children in the UTV, was injured.
Both children were transported to Emplify Health hospital by Gundersen Hillsboro Area, where the 12-year-old died from their injures.
The crash of the 2014 Kubota RTV500 took place on private property near Kouba Valley Road in the town of Greenwood, according to the sheriff's office.
"Our hearts go out to the family and friends aching and grieving such a tremendous loss in our community. I appreciate everyone who answered the call and put forth extensive life-saving efforts with the highest level of compassion," reads a statement from Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Coroner Betty Nigh.
The incident is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Vernon County Sheriff's Office, and Vernon County Coroner's Office.
As of July 1, crashes of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and UTVs had killed 19 people in Wisconsin in 2025, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR said most of the victims from the earlier accidents were not wearing seat belts or helmets.
The DNR offers safety classes for ATVs and UTVs.
Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 12-year-old dies after UTV overturns or gravel road near Hillsboro
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