ALBANY — Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in a two-vehicle crash outside of Albany that sent two people to the hospital by UW-Med Flight and closed the Wis. 59 for several hours.

According to Green County Sheriff Cody Kanable, at 6:03 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, the Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a two vehicle crash on Wis. 59 west of Oliver Road in the Town of Decatur. The crash location is approximately three miles west of the Village of Albany.

“Deputies immediately responded to the scene along with Albany Fire Department, Albany EMS, Brodhead Fire Department, Brodhead EMS and Green County EMS,” Kanable said. “Preliminary investigation determined a westbound sedan lost control while negotiating a curve. The sedan operated left of the center line and collided with an eastbound sport utility vehicle.”

The eastbound sport utility vehicle was operated by Katrin Luethje 32, of Albany. Luethje and her passenger, Joseph Luethje 30, of Evansville sustained non-life threatening injuries, both were transported to a local hospital by Green County EMS. Luethje’s vehicle came to rest on the roadway and sustained severe disabling front end damage. There was airbag deployment and both occupants were wearing seatbelts, Kanable said.  

The westbound sedan was not as lucky, it came to rest in a field on the east side of the roadway and sustained severe disabling damage to the passenger side. There was airbag deployment and both occupants were wearing seatbelts. 

The 19-year-old operator of the vehicle, a male of Blue Mounds, sustained life threatening injuries and was flown from the scene by UW-Med Flight. A passenger in the sedan was identified as a 21-year-old female from Argyle. The passenger sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Brodhead EMS, where she was then flown by UW-Med Flight for further care.

Kanable said the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to assist with the crash investigation, and Green County Highway Department assisted with road closure and detours. 

“The crash remains under investigation at this time, alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash at this time,” Kanable said.  

Wis. 59 remained closed until after 11 p.m. while the cleanup and investigation took place.