Colby man killed in Highway N crash

Written by Matt Ollwerther of the Marshfield News-Herald:

Green Grove - A one-car crash killed one man and injured two girls shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday night, when a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am rolled several times after the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.

Joseph T. Flynn, 19, of Colby was pronounced dead at the scene by Clark County Coroner Richard Schleifer. Flynn and one passenger were thrown from the car after the vehicle apparently went into a ditch and Flynn overcorrected while trying to get the car back onto the road, according to deputies. The vehicle was traveling south on County Highway N in the town of Green Grove. The second passenger was able to walk to a nearby house and call for help.

Fourteen-year-old Jesica J. Johnson, of Owen, was listed in critical condition and 17-year-old Lacey M. Brecht, of Greenwood, was in good condition Monday afternoon, according to Saint Joseph's Hospital officials. Both passengers were transported, one by helicopter, to the Marshfield hospital.

Clark County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Jim Backus said Flynn is from the Rhinelander area and recently moved to Colby. It has not yet been determined if alcohol played a part in the crash, Backus said. The sheriff's department is continuing to investigate, and he said high speed may have been a contributing factor.

The crash caused the seventh fatality in Clark County this year, tying the seven deaths in 2003. In 2002, 16 people died, four in 2001, 17 in 2000 and 11 in 1999, according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation.