Hallie Helgeson Obituary, Death – A second individual has died following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 39/90 near DeForest, Wisconsin, according to an update from the Wisconsin State Patrol. The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday and involved a head-on crash that resulted in injuries, entrapment, and a fire.
Authorities confirmed that the second person who died was a 19-year-old man from Clara City, Minnesota. He succumbed to his injuries sustained in the crash. The initial collision involved an SUV traveling south in the northbound lanes of the interstate, which struck another vehicle head-on. The force of the impact caused one of the vehicles to catch fire and become fully engulfed in flames.
Earlier in the week, the Wisconsin State Patrol arrested 30-year-old Noelia Martinez Avila of Portage, Wisconsin. She is accused of driving under the influence and causing the fatal crash. Officials say Avila was operating her vehicle in the wrong direction on the highway when the collision occurred. One of the victims, Hallie Helgeson, a teenage girl from Minnesota, died at the scene.
Avila now faces serious charges, including those related to impaired driving and causing the deaths of two people. The authorities have not yet released the name of the second deceased victim, the 19-year-old male, as the investigation remains ongoing.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is continuing to gather information and evidence surrounding the crash. They are working to determine the full sequence of events that led to the tragedy, including Avila’s state at the time of the crash, the speed of the vehicles, and other contributing factors such as road and weather conditions.
This devastating crash has brought renewed attention to the dangers of drunk driving and wrong-way incidents on major highways. Community members and law enforcement officials alike are expressing deep concern over the preventable nature of such crashes.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are urging anyone with information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward. They are especially interested in hearing from individuals who were on the road at the time or who may have seen Avila’s vehicle prior to the collision.
No further details have been released regarding possible court dates or legal proceedings against Avila, but she is currently in custody as officials prepare formal charges. The case highlights the tragic consequences that can arise from impaired driving and continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible decision-making behind the wheel.
Grief counselors and support services have been made available to the families of the victims, and law enforcement has extended their condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in the crash.
