By City Times staff

NEKOOSA – Two people are dead following an accident on Highway 173 by County Rd GG, near Nekoosa.

The Wisconsin State Patrol says that a box truck heading east on Highway 173 traveled into the westbound lane to get around the Wood County Highway Department, who was working on the road; the box truck then hit a dump truck in the westbound lane.

The dump truck driver, a 57-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man, and the 45-year-old box truck driver, of Custer, were both killed.

The accident detoured traffic for a couple of hours.

Departments responding include: Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Wood County Sherriff’s Rescue, Nekoosa Fire Department, Port Edwards Fire Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol.

The crash is still under investigation.