Per a media release from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, Feb. 3 at approximately 6:34 p.m. deputies were dispatched to Highways 59 and KK in Lima Center Township for the report of a single vehicle roll over crash. The initial investigation indicated that the vehicle, driven by a 20-year-old female of Whitewater, was eastbound on Hwy 59, apparently at a high rate of speed. The vehicle came upon another vehicle traveling the same direction, and abruptly swerved to the left to avoid a rear end collision, entering the north ditch where the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times. The driver, who was not wearing her seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle.

There were a total of four occupants in the vehicle. The driver, along with two passengers, a 19 year old male and an 18 year old female, were transported to Mercy Hospital. A fourth passenger, a 19 year old male, was not transported. At the hospital the driver was pronounced deceased. The three passengers, who were wearing seat belts, sustained non-life threatening injuries. Deputies stated that it did not appear that alcohol was a factor in the crash. The Rock County Reconstruction Team will be conducting an investigation. The driver’s name has not yet been released pending notification of the family.

2/5/20 – Update: The woman who died in the crash has been identified as Sterling H. M. Espinoza, 20, of Whitewater, the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Office announced.