AUBURNDALE, WI (OnFocus) – Following a resolution from the Wood County Board earlier this month, concerned citizens, school officials, and law enforcement agencies are calling for urgent safety improvements at the intersection of US Highway 10 and State Highway 186.
As previously reported, since the redesign of US HWY 10 in 2014, three fatal vehicle crashes and 27 other crashes – some involving serious injuries – have occurred at this location. The most recent tragedy involved the death of a 17-year-old student in December 2024. Additionally, the area has seen 42 reports of drivers traveling the wrong way in just the past two years.
The growing movement, fueled by community leaders and first responders, seeks to address longstanding dangers at the crossing, which many say has been neglected for too long.
A Dangerous Intersection in Need of Change
The School District of Auburndale, law enforcement officials, and local government representatives have formally reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), urging immediate action to enhance safety at the intersection. Unlike other major intersections along Highway 10, which feature overpasses or safer crossing structures, the Highway 10 and 186 intersection remains an at-grade crossing, requiring motorists to cross high-speed lanes of traffic without the benefit of ramps or a controlled stop system.
In a letter addressed to WisDOT, the School District of Auburndale outlined the intersection’s unique risks, highlighting the high volume of traffic, including students, commuters, and local residents. The district emphasized that while other intersections along Highway 10 are designed with additional safety infrastructure, Highway 186 remains an exception, increasing the likelihood of severe accidents.
The Tragedy That Sparked Renewed Urgency
The push for improvements gained significant traction following the death of Kasey Ramthun, a young resident whose fatal accident at the intersection devastated her family and community. Her aunt, Ashley Turner, a registered nurse and first responder, shared an emotional plea recounting the tragic night of the accident. Turner described her desperate attempts to save her niece’s life, questioning the safety of the intersection and whether the accident could have been prevented had proper infrastructure been in place.
“How many more innocent lives need to be taken before someone steps in?” Turner asked in a letter to WisDOT. “Many of the crossroads should not have intersections. The signs lining Highway 10 obstruct the driver’s line of sight in the middle of the intersection, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic. Something has to change.”
Law Enforcement and First Responders Speak Out
Both the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshfield Police Department have publicly supported the call for improvements. Sheriff Shawn Becker acknowledged the role of driver error in many accidents but emphasized that environmental factors at the intersection contribute significantly to crashes. He expressed hope that WisDOT will reassess the safety design and implement necessary changes to prevent further tragedies.
Marshfield Fire Chief Everett Mueller echoed these concerns, pointing out that emergency responders have been called to multiple accidents at the intersection in recent years. “Since 2018, the Marshfield Fire Department has responded to 12 incidents at this intersection, resulting in the transport of 18 patients,” Mueller wrote in his letter to WisDOT. “These numbers highlight the urgent need for safety improvements to prevent further tragedies.”
Proposed Solutions and Next Steps
Community leaders and safety advocates are calling for WisDOT to take immediate steps to redesign the intersection, with suggestions including the addition of an overpass, improved signage, clearer lane markings, and increased lighting.
“We are not asking for all intersections to be closed,” the School District of Auburndale clarified in their letter. “We are simply asking for the most dangerous one to be fixed.”
Local officials have urged residents to voice their concerns and push for change by contacting WisDOT and state representatives. As pressure mounts, the community remains hopeful that state transportation officials will act before another life is lost.
“The cost of doing nothing is far greater than the cost of making these changes,” said Marshfield Police Chief Jody Geurink. “We owe it to our residents to ensure their safety on the road.”
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has yet to release an official response to the requests, but residents and local officials remain steadfast in their mission to secure the necessary changes to make Highway 10 and 186 a safer intersection for all.
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Author: News Desk
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