Two Harbors woman killed in Wis. automobile accident

An investigation continues into the cause of an April 4 crash near Danbury that fatally injured three people, including a Two Harbors woman.

Ellen Jean Anderson, 80, died April 5 of her injuries. Her husband, James I. Anderson, was injured in the crash.

Also killed in the crash were the Andersons’ son-in-law, Robert Peterson, 63, of Oakdale, Wis., and Kevin Cook, 60, of Luck, Wis. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Anderson was a backseat passenger in Peterson’s van. She and two other passengers were airlifted from the scene. Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland identified the other passengers as Anderson’s husband and her daughter, Bonnie Peterson, Robert Peterson’s wife.

Bonnie Peterson was treated and released from Essentia Health SMDC on the day of the accident, her brother, Alan Anderson of Two Harbors, said Wednesday. Anderson said his father may be transferred soon from St. Luke’s hospital in Duluth to Two Harbors for rehabilitation.

Cook was alone in his truck other than for a dog, which was also killed.

Peterson was driving south and Cook was driving north around 2:15 p.m. when the crash happened on Wisconsin Highway 35 in the Town of Swiss, about six miles north of Danbury.

“According to witness statements, the truck (driven by Cook) was traveling at a speed of 55 mph for quite a distance and just prior to the collision – it was a straight section of road – it slowed down to 40 to 45 and veered (directly) into the oncoming vehicle,” Roland said.

Peterson saw the oncoming truck and moved as far right as he possible could – because of the presence of a guardrail – and had come almost, if not entirely, to a complete stop before the crash, Roland said.

Officials are waiting results from an autopsy and tests conducted on Cook’s body.

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