A tragic accident near Crivitz on Saturday evening resulted in the deaths of two teenagers and left two others seriously injured. The incident occurred on County Highway G, near Loomis Road, when a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old from Menominee, Michigan, failed to negotiate a curve and veered into a ditch, striking a tree.
Marinette County Dispatch received an iPhone crash notification at approximately 10:55 p.m. on August 29, which led to the subsequent call reporting the single-vehicle crash. The Marinette County Sheriff's Office, which is leading the investigation, identified the driver as Landen J. Englund. Englund sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
The front-seat passenger, 17-year-old Princeton J. Welty from Crivitz, also died as a result of the crash. Two other passengers, one of whom was ejected from the vehicle, were seriously injured and were transported to receive medical treatment. The sheriff's office indicated that speed was a contributing factor in the accident, though the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Randy Miller of the Marinette County Sheriff's Office addressed concerns on social media regarding the release of the teenagers' names. In a Facebook post, Miller explained that the information was released after numerous notifications were made, often with inaccurate information circulating on social media platforms before official statements are issued.
The Menominee Area Public School District, where both victims were former students, issued a message to families and staff expressing their sorrow. "Our thoughts are with the families, friends, classmates, staff members, and everyone affected by this terrible news," Superintendent Drew Buyarski wrote. The district also announced that additional mental health professionals and support resources would be available for students when they return to school on Monday.
Princeton Welty, one of the victims, was an athlete at Crivitz High School, where he played basketball. The Crivitz School District, which begins classes on September 8, has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that the crash has left the community in shock, with many expressing their condolences online. The newspaper also noted that the incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of driving, especially during the summer months when road travel is at its peak.
The Marinette County Sheriff's Office has urged anyone with information regarding the crash to contact them. The investigation is ongoing, and the office has not released any further details at this time.
The tragic loss of two young lives and the serious injuries sustained by others has left the Crivitz community in mourning. As the investigation continues, the community is coming together to support the families of the victims and to reflect on the importance of road safety.
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