By Patrick Lynn

Portage Co. Sheriff’s Deputies on Saturday say a 28 year-old woman was killed in a one car rollover early Saturday morning.

Ashley Suit of Wisconsin Rapids was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle she was driving on Highway 54 in the Town of Grant. Her passenger, 27 year-old Kenneth Stivers, was flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Suit’s vehicle was traveling westbound before it rolled into a north ditch. Dispatch took the 911 call at 12:17 AM Saturday morning. Wood County Sheriff’s
Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, United Ambulance, Plover Fire Department, Ministry Spirit medical helicopter, and Grant Emergency Medical Responders also responded to the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office’s Technical Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate the exact cause of the crash but alcohol and failure to use safety belts were suspected to be contributing factors.

Further investigation by the Portage County Coroner’s Office will determine if other contributing factors may had led to the accident and injuries.

This is the third crash and fourth fatality on Portage County highways in 2014.

The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office urgently remind motorists not to drink and drive, and always wear their safety belts.