Eight-year-old passenger dies in fatal crash in St Croix County

Reported as tenth traffic fatality recorded by St. Croix County in 2025

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Submitted by Scott Knudson, Sheriff, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office

TOWN of RICHMOND, WI – The St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center received a call at about 9:51 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, reporting a vehicle crash in the 1500 Block of County Road A in Richmond Township.

Deputies arrived on scene and located a two-vehicle crash. A 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, which had been traveling southbound on CTH A, lost control on the icy curve and collided with a 2018 Subaru Outback, which was traveling northbound on CTH A.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was identified as Alisha M. Hailey, age 27, from New Richmond, Wisconsin. Her passenger, Owen P. Hailey, age 8, was seated in the third row of the van. Owen suffered critical injuries in the crash, and life saving measures were performed. He was transported to Westfields Hospital in New Richmond. He was transferred by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota shortly after.

Alisha suffered serious injuries from the crash and was treated at Regions Hospital. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Subaru Outback was identified as Linda D. Stefonek, age 71, from New Richmond WI. She was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Later that evening, Owen Hailey died at Regions Hospital, as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the New Richmond Police Department, New Richmond Fire Department, New Richmond Ambulance, Baldwin Ambulance, St. Croix County Highway Department, and the amazing staff at Westfields Hospital.

This incident represents the tenth traffic fatality recorded by St. Croix County in 2025.

This crash remains under investigation.