POLK COUNTY, WI — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal car crash Tuesday morning in Polk County as Marley John Mickelsen, an 18-year-old senior from Lino Lakes, Minnesota.
The crash occurred around 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of State Highway 65 and County Highway F, east of Dresser. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Mickelsen was driving eastbound on Highway F when he failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a pickup truck traveling northbound on Highway 65.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but Mickelsen was pronounced dead on arrival. His tragic passing has sent shockwaves through his hometown community and school, where he was described as a bright and driven young man with a promising future ahead.
Two occupants of the pickup truck sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Their current conditions have not been publicly released.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials have not indicated whether factors such as speed, distraction, or weather conditions played a role in the collision.
In the wake of his passing, tributes have poured in for Mickelsen. Friends and teachers remember him as a hardworking student, an avid athlete, and someone who could light up any room with his energy and kindness.
“Marley had such a contagious spirit,” one family friend shared. “He loved his friends, his family, and he had so many dreams for his future. This loss is unimaginable.”
A statement from Marley’s high school expressed deep sorrow, noting that counseling services would be made available for students and staff grieving his death.
Funeral arrangements for Mickelsen are pending, with his family requesting privacy as they navigate this profound loss.
As the investigation continues, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office urges drivers to exercise caution at all intersections and to always be mindful of traffic signals and stop signs, especially as communities grapple with the heartbreaking reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.