8 Year Old Dies in Tragic Traffic Incident  Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026

 

On Monday, August 17, 2026, at approximately 3:05 PM, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a child that had been struck by a vehicle while on the roadway near the area of County Road H and Polley Lane in the Township of Aurora, Taylor County.

 

Taylor County Deputies, Gilman Police Department, Cornell Police Department, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, along with Taylor County Ambulance Service (to include Taylor County 1st Responders and Jump River 1st Responders), Cornell Fire Department, and Gilman Fire Personnel responded to the scene.

 

Based on preliminary investigation, the involved vehicle was traveling northbound on County Road H when a child stepped into the roadway causing the vehicle to strike the child, which sent the child into the east ditch. The child was later pronounced deceased as a result of injuries sustained from the incident. The driver and occupants of the vehicle were not injured. Further investigation revealed the child who was 8 years old was checking a mailbox located on the east edge of the roadway. The child then attempted to cross back to the west side of the roadway just prior to the collision.

 

Investigation of this incident is ongoing with the assistance of the Wisconsin State Patrol. No further details will be released at this time.

 

Our condolences go out to the family of the child and all those affected.