Mary Elliot Killed in Montpelier Motorcycle Accident
The 22-year-old Ripon College student-athlete died when the motorcycle she was riding on collided with a pickup truck at County Road AB
Mary Elliot, 22, of Bayside, was killed in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 29 at County Road AB in the Town of Montpelier, Wisconsin, on Saturday, according to the Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Office.
The eastbound bike collided with a northbound pickup truck that had pulled into the intersection after stopping at a stop sign, investigators said.
The driver of the bike, 22-year-old Jesse Hernandez of Kewaunee, also died at the scene before either could be taken to a hospital.
The Wisconsin State Patrol Accident Reconstruction Team is assisting local deputies with the ongoing investigation. No information was released regarding the driver of the pickup.
A senior at Ripon College and a member of the swimming and diving team, the young woman was remembered by the school as a cherished student-athlete. A memorial was scheduled for Tuesday morning at the campus Willmore Center pool deck.
Why did the pickup truck enter the intersection on State Highway 29?
The sudden loss of a beloved student-athlete has left the campus community grieving. For families facing the sudden loss of a loved one in a catastrophic collision, the emotional toll is devastating. While police investigate the exact sequence of events at the intersection, legal professionals emphasize the importance of independent evidence gathering to protect the rights of the victim's family.
"Motorcycle accident victims who sustain injuries at the expense of a negligent motorist are subject to a personal injury lawsuit, where they may receive compensation for damages," noted National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,228 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of riders and their passengers.
How is the Ripon College community responding to the tragedy?
In motorcycle accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists examine skid marks, sightlines, and right-of-way rules to determine why a vehicle pulled into the path of an oncoming rider. Passengers on motorcycles are entirely dependent on the safe operation of both their driver and surrounding drivers.
"Blind spots, inexperienced drivers, and distracted motorists often cause these types of collisions. An accident reconstruction team and even motorcycle manufacturing experts are oftentimes needed as well to help ultimately piece together what happened," added National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal.
Wisconsin wrongful death statute
Under Wis. Stat. § 895.04, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Wisconsin applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.