A Clearfield County mother and daughter were killed in a crash involving a Wisconsin state senator this past weekend, according to reports.
Alyssa Ortman and her daughter, from Clearfield County, were involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by Wisconsin state Sen. Janet Bewley near a Lake Superiorbeach on July 22, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.
It is unclear what brought 27-year-old Ortman and her 5-year-old daughter to Wisconsin.
Police reported that Bewley pulled out of the parking lot for Maslowski Beach in Ashland onto U.S. Route 2 and crashed into Ortman’s car. After the initial crash, Ortman’s vehicle spun across the highway and was hit by a third car.
The 5-year-old died at the scene and Ortman died at the hospital.
Ashland police said no other injuries were reported in the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, police said.
Ashland Police Chief Bill Hagstrom told the Ashland Daily Press on Monday that Wisconsin State Patrol investigators were reconstructing the crash. No charges had been filed.
“We’ll be sitting down with them and going over everything as far as determining how it all actually happened,” Hagstrom told the newspaper. “Then we’ll forward everything to the district attorney for their review because it was a fatal accident.”
Bewley, 70, is a Democrat representing Wisconsin’s 25th District. She has been in her current office since 2015, according to the Philly Voice. She is not seeking reelection.
In a statement released to the media, her spokesperson said that “this is a heartbreaking event for the community. Our thoughts and prayers are focused on the individuals involved, their families and their loved ones. Senator Bewley, who was not seriously injured in the accident, wants to thank all the dedicated law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who helped in the aftermath of the accident.”