Southbound Kia and northbound Chevrolet collided near 770th Street
December 30, 2025 | Trenton Township, WI
A 43-year-old woman from Ellsworth lost her life in a devastating two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 63 in Trenton Township, Pierce County.
Jena Klos, 43, of Ellsworth, was killed in a two-vehicle crash involving a Kia Optima and a Chevrolet Equinox on U.S. Highway 63 in Trenton Township.
What Happened in the Crash?
The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. on Dec. 30 when Jena Klos was driving a Kia Optima southbound on U.S. Highway 63 near 770th Street. Her vehicle collided head-on with a northbound Chevrolet Equinox operated by a 77-year-old man from Amery.
- Victim: Jena Klos, 43, of Ellsworth
- Location: U.S. Highway 63 near 770th Street, Trenton Township, Pierce County, Wisconsin
- Vehicles Involved: Kia Optima, southbound, and Chevrolet Equinox, northbound
- Time: Approximately 3:55 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2025
- Outcome: Klos was rushed to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, but succumbed to her injuries
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. No charges have been announced at this time.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 36,000 people lose their lives annually in such incidents.
Common contributing factors include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
- Failure to maintain lane position
- Not yielding the right of way
- Distracted driving
Cause of Fatal Crashes |
Percentage (NHTSA Data) |
Description |
|---|
Speeding |
29% |
Exceeding posted limits or driving too fast for conditions |
Impaired Driving |
25% |
Alcohol, drugs, or medication affecting judgment |
Distracted Driving |
8% |
Use of phones or other distractions |
Failure to Yield |
20% |
Not giving right of way at intersections |
Lane Departure |
12% |
Crossing into other lanes or off the road |
Data sourced from NHTSA's latest annual report on traffic fatalities.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, a thorough investigation is crucial to uncover the facts and support affected families. National legal analyst emphasizes the importance of independent reviews.
“As analysts, our role is to offer legal guidance to families affected by fatal accidents,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “We assist in safeguarding rights and ensuring statements to authorities or insurers aren't misused.”
Bond further notes that professionals can examine crash contributions, including driver histories and witness accounts.
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on two-vehicle crashes:
- Prompt evidence preservation is essential to build a strong case.
- Families may pursue compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, and emotional losses.
- Hiring specialists helps navigate insurance claims and potential liabilities.
- Civil actions can hold negligent parties accountable for unsafe driving behaviors.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, adds insight on accountability.
“A wrongful death occurs when negligence, such as distracted or aggressive driving, leads to a fatality,” said Formica. “Surviving family members often have grounds to seek justice through civil claims against the at-fault driver.”
Potential Wrongful Death Claims
Depending on the investigation's findings, the family of Jena Klos could be eligible for a wrongful death claim. This might cover expenses like medical bills, burial costs, and non-economic damages such as loss of companionship and suffering.
Such claims arise when a driver's negligence—through speeding, impairment, or inattention—directly causes the tragedy. Newsline underscores the value of consulting professionals to explore these options compassionately.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).