One dead following 3-vehicle crash in Crawford County

One person is dead following a three vehicle crash in Crawford County on Tuesday. Early Tuesday morning the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 61 near Bear Cave Lane. 34-year-old Justin Forde of Sparta was driving southbound on Highway 61 when he lost control of his vehicle while negotiating a turn. Forde crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound box-truck operated by 48-year-old Christopher Hahn of Lancaster. As a result of the collision, Forde’s passenger, 26-year-old Kristen Howell of Soldier’s Grove, was ejected from the vehicle and landed on the highway. A third vehicle driven by 26-year-old Cheyenne Towsley of Shullsburg was driving  southbound and collided with Forde’s vehicle that was blocking her lane of travel. Howell was pronounced dead at the scene and Forde was extricated from his vehicle and transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Hahn sustained suspected minor injuries, and Towsley escaped without injury. The highway was closed for approximately five hours. Icy road conditions are believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.