Three people were killed and two others injured in a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. K in the town of Maine Thursday morning. The crash occurred at approximately 8:35 a.m. near Decator Drive in Marathon County.
The crash involved a 2008 Nissan Xterra driven by Roy Kato, 34, of Tecumseh, OK and a 2008 Pontiac Torrent driven by Cliff Clendenning, 32, of Schofield. The Kato vehicle reportedly slid across the center line of Hwy. K and was struck by the Clendenning vehicle.
Roy Kato was killed along with two passengers in his vehicle, Jenny Kato, 34, and Joshua Kato, 13, also of Tecumseh, OK. A fourth passenger in the Kato vehicle, 5-year-old Brook Kato, was transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Clendenning was also transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crash. Slippery conditions are believed to be a factor.
Marathon County Sheriff Department, Town of Maine Fire Department, Wausau Fire Department, Wausau Police Department, and Marathon County Highway Department assisted with the crash.