2 Injured in Single-Vehicle Crash on Hwy 45 in West Bend, WI

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On February 14, 2026, a single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 45 in West Bend, Wisconsin, resulting in two people being injured, one critically. The SUV was traveling northbound when it abruptly left the roadway and struck a large tree, requiring extrication of the two front-seat occupants by fire department personnel. One person was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, while the other was airlifted to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

Why it matters

Single-vehicle crashes on highways are a common occurrence, often resulting from driver distraction, impairment, or other factors. This incident highlights the importance of safe driving practices and the need for prompt emergency response to mitigate the severity of injuries sustained in such crashes.

The details

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. on February 14, 2026, when a deputy in the area located an SUV that had left the northbound lanes of Highway 45 and struck a tree in the east ditch. The West Bend Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and extricated the two front-seat occupants, who were then transported to local hospitals for treatment.

• The crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. on February 14, 2026.
• Portions of Highway 45 were closed for approximately two hours to allow for the landing of Flight for Life, removal of the vehicle, and completion of the crash investigation.

What’s next

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing by the Washington County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Team.