2 die when truck hits snowmobiles near Eau Claire

Last update: January 26, 2008 - 11:28 PM

EAU CLAIRE, WIS. -- Two people were killed and one severely injured Saturday after their snowmobiles were hit head-on by a pickup truck, authorities said.

The crash was about 20 miles southeast of Eau Claire. A snowmobile driven by Braden Dickinsen, 23, and another ridden by Krista Bergman, 19, both of Augusta, were hit while going over a hill just after 1 p.m., according to a release by the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office.

Brian Schultz, of Augusta, had severe injuries and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Eau Claire.

The truck's driver had minor injuries, and the others in his vehicle were not hurt.

"Excessive speed and operating on the wrong side of the road by the snowmobiles appear to be major factors in the crash," said a statement from the Sheriff's Office.

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