On August 21, 2021 at 9:28 p.m. the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an ATV accident with several people injured on CTH-M near Sailor Creek RD in the Town of Grover.
Once at the scene Sheriff’s deputies found a white Mini Cooper laying overturned in the ditch , not an ATV as originally reported. A single male subject was found still in the vehicle unresponsive and two other occupants had already exited the vehicle. CPR was performed on the unresponsive male at the scene and he was transported to Aspirus Hospital Medford. The male was found to be 20-year-old Hunter J. Ried of Medford Wi. who ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died.
Preliminary investigation indicate Ried was a passenger of the vehicle and had been seated in the right rear seat and appears to have had on his seat belt at the time of the accident. The two other occupants, the driver and another passenger who was seated in the right front seat of the vehicle were transported to Aspirus Medford for their injuries and later released. Their names are being withheld at this time pending the investigation.
Further, preliminary findings into the cause of the accident indicate the vehicle had been reportedly traveling at 100 mph west bound on CTH-M as it approached a curve in the road. Also skid marks at the scene indicate the vehicle had been driving across the center line as it entered the curve. The operator of the vehicle lost control and went off the roadway causing the vehicle to overturn.
At this time neither drugs or alcohol are suspected. The main cause of the accident appears to be high speeds and negligent operation of the vehicle. At the completion of the investigation, it is expected charges will be requested and forwarded to the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office.
