Single-vehicle crash in Town of Dewey, Wisconsin on Sunset Drive north of County Road DB — November 4, 2026

Published by Dunk Law Firm

Published:

A 79-year-old Stevens Point man died Wednesday afternoon after a single-vehicle crash in the Town of Dewey, Wisconsin, according to the Portage County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called to Sunset Drive, north of County Road DB, at about 4:55 p.m.

When deputies arrived, they found a passenger vehicle in a wooded area on the west side of Sunset Drive. Investigators said the vehicle had been headed north when it left the roadway and stopped in the woods. The driver was the only person in the vehicle and died from injuries sustained in the crash. Authorities have not released his name.

The sheriff's office says the cause is still under investigation and that more information will be released later. Portage County Ambulance, Dewey EMS, the Dewey Fire Department and the Portage County Medical Examiner's Office assisted at the scene. Anything beyond these details, including why the vehicle left the road, has not been reported.

What Makes This Incident Different

This was a crash with one vehicle and one occupant. When no other driver or passenger is available to describe what happened, physical evidence and any recorded data tend to carry more weight. The place where the vehicle left the road, the path it took and the spot where it stopped can help show how the crash unfolded.

The report says the vehicle was traveling northbound and ended up in woods on the west side of the road. That describes where it went, not why. The sheriff's office has not announced a cause, so none should be assumed for now.

Questions Investigators May Examine

Investigators may examine where the vehicle left the pavement and what route it followed before stopping. Scene measurements, ground or tire marks and the vehicle's final resting position, if documented, may help answer that.

They may also look at what the vehicle crossed or struck between the road and the woods. Scene photographs, damage documentation and marks on trees or the roadside could help clarify this, if they were recorded. The final position alone does not show speed or how severe the impact was.

A third question is whether any recorded information describes the vehicle's movement before it left the road. Data stored in the vehicle, nearby camera footage or a witness account could help, if any exists. The evidence will determine whether these sources add anything. The sheriff's office has said it will release further information, and a later statement or crash report may explain its findings.

Evidence That May Need to Be Preserved

The records below may exist and may matter. This list does not mean any of them has been collected or reviewed.

  • The crash report and any later statement from the Portage County Sheriff's Office, since the cause has not yet been stated
  • Scene photographs, measurements and any marks on the ground, trees or roadside along Sunset Drive, which may show where the vehicle left the road and what it crossed before stopping in the woods
  • The vehicle and any electronic data it stores, which may help show its movement before it left the roadway, given that no other occupant or driver was involved
  • Footage from nearby homes, businesses or passing vehicles, and any witness information, which could show the vehicle's movement before the crash

What Families Should Know

After a sudden death, relatives often face grief, paperwork and questions at once. A family does not have to decide everything immediately.

The source does not say where the vehicle is now. It may be held by law enforcement, a tow yard or another party. A family can ask who has it and ask that it not be repaired, sold or disposed of until it can be examined, if that is appropriate. It may also help to ask the sheriff's office how to obtain the crash report once it is available.

Preliminary information can change as an investigation proceeds. A reported cause, or the lack of one, does not by itself settle questions of responsibility. Insurance coverage, available benefits and a family's options depend on facts that have not been made public. A lawyer can explain, in general terms, what rules and time limits may apply in Wisconsin, without assuming any particular result.

How Dunk Law Firm Can Help

If your family has lost a loved one in a single-vehicle crash in Portage County or elsewhere in Wisconsin, you are welcome to contact Dunk Law Firm. We can listen to what you know, explain in plain language how a crash review generally works, and discuss which records may be worth asking about while the official investigation continues. Contacting the firm does not mean any claim exists or that a particular outcome is likely.

This post is based on publicly available news reports and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice.