NEW GLARUS — Police say they are continuing to investigate the cause of a three vehicle crash on Wis. 69 Friday that killed a New Glarus driver and injured two others.

The crash marked the county’s first traffic fatality of the year, and it closed Wis. 69 for about six hours as crews worked to clear the scene. The crash happened just after 8:10 a.m. on Friday on Wis. 69 — a tenth of a mile south of Highland Drive, north of the village limits, said Sheriff Jeff Skatrud, in a statement. 

“Initial investigation indicated that Peter J. Weix, 57, of New Glarus was northbound on Wis. 69 operating a Volkswagen Beetle, following a Toyota Rav4 SUV operated by Ruth A. Zuber, age 61, also of New Glarus,” the department said in a press release. “The Volkswagen apparently made a passing maneuver of the Toyota on the right shoulder, slid broadside in front of the Zuber vehicle after completing the pass and was struck broadside by the Toyota Rav4.”

At that point, the VW then veered into the path of a southbound Subaru Legacy, driven by Joyce A. Jensen, 62, also of New Glarus — and the resulting crash sent both vehicles to the west shoulder. The Toyota, meanwhile came, to rest in the northbound lane. It remains unclear why the Beetle was attempting to pass on the right.

“We can’t say why (he was passing on the right) but we’re fairly certain,” that’s how the crash was initiated, said Skatrud.

Despite the efforts to save him, Weix was pronounced dead at the scene by the Green County Coroner’s office. Joyce Jensen was transported by Med Flight helicopter to a Madison hospital with injuries characterized as critical. Zuber did not immediately seek medical treatment, said the sheriff’s statement. 

Airbags deployed in all three vehicles and all three drivers were believed to be wearing safety belts. Road conditions did not appear to be a contributing factor in the crash.

Green County deputies, along with New Glarus EMS, New Glarus Fire, Belleville Fire, Green County EMS, Fitch-Rona EMS and two UW Med Flight helicopters were  dispatched to the scene.

The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted by sending a crash reconstruction team, while the Green County Highway Department responded with barricades and “personnel to detour traffic.”