1 dead, 5 injured after ‘sneezing fit’ leads to crash with Amish buggy

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) - One person died and five others were injured after a driver’s “sneezing fit” caused her to crash into an Amish buggy, according to authorities in Wisconsin.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said it received a 911 call around 3:35 p.m. Friday reporting a crash on State Highway 131 between County Highway A and Irondale Avenue in the township of Tomah.

The crash investigation showed the buggy was heading southbound up a hill at the time of the crash. Investigators said a 38-year-old Tomah woman driving a 2025 Volkswagen Atlas hit the buggy from behind.

Officials determined the Volkswagen driver had a “sneezing fit” and didn’t see the buggy before the crash.

The Volkswagen driver was trapped in her car, but managed to get out before she was taken to the hospital. She was later released.

When Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials arrived at the crash site, they found the people inside the Amish buggy, ranging in age from 18 months to 37 years, had severe injuries.

A 37-year-old Wilton woman who was in the buggy died later at the hospital as a result of her injuries.

The other occupants in the buggy remain hospitalized.

The names of the people involved were not immediately released.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the crash site by multiple agencies, including Wisconsin State Patrol and the Oakdale Fire Department.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials offered condolences to the families and communities affected by the crash.