MONROE - Authorities on Monday released the identity of the 19-year-old victim of a fatal, one-car crash Sunday afternoon.
That victim was James T. Rufenacht of Gratiot.
The crash occurred at 4:15 p.m. on County M, in Jordan Township, and a preliminary investigation revealed that a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette was northbound on County M, when Rufenacht lost control of the vehicle after negotiating a curve.
"The vehicle continued eastbound, traveled down a ditch, struck an embankment and overturned," said a Green County Sheriff's Department statement. "The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected."
The crash remained under investigation by both the sheriff's department and the county coroner late Sunday afternoon.
Authorities said that speed was a factor in crash. But, they added, "alcohol does not appear to be involved or a factor... ."
The traffic fatality marks Green County's seventh of the year.
In addition to the sheriff's department, other responding agencies included: Browntown First Response, Browntown Fire Department, South Wayne First Response, South Wayne Fire Department, and Green County EMS.
Rufenacht graduated from Black Hawk High School in 2010, where he played basketball and football, among many other activities. According to the teen's Facebook page, he attended UW Whitewater and served in the Wisconsin National Guard.
"I will miss you forever James," said one poster to his Facebook page.
A death notice for Rufenacht appears on Page A2 of today's edition.
That victim was James T. Rufenacht of Gratiot.
The crash occurred at 4:15 p.m. on County M, in Jordan Township, and a preliminary investigation revealed that a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette was northbound on County M, when Rufenacht lost control of the vehicle after negotiating a curve.
"The vehicle continued eastbound, traveled down a ditch, struck an embankment and overturned," said a Green County Sheriff's Department statement. "The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected."
The crash remained under investigation by both the sheriff's department and the county coroner late Sunday afternoon.
Authorities said that speed was a factor in crash. But, they added, "alcohol does not appear to be involved or a factor... ."
The traffic fatality marks Green County's seventh of the year.
In addition to the sheriff's department, other responding agencies included: Browntown First Response, Browntown Fire Department, South Wayne First Response, South Wayne Fire Department, and Green County EMS.
Rufenacht graduated from Black Hawk High School in 2010, where he played basketball and football, among many other activities. According to the teen's Facebook page, he attended UW Whitewater and served in the Wisconsin National Guard.
"I will miss you forever James," said one poster to his Facebook page.
A death notice for Rufenacht appears on Page A2 of today's edition.