By Scott Bellile
A teen is lucky to be alive after striking a tree in a one-vehicle crash on State Highway 54, according to New London Assistant Fire Chief Dick Muskevitsch.
The New London male was driven to the hospital with minor injuries following the crash Sunday, Aug. 28.
Around 11:30 a.m., the driver was headed westbound on State 54 east of Otto Road when he lost control of the car and drove into the grass. The car hit an evergreen tree head-on, then spun about 180 degrees. It came to a stop in the front yard of E7828 State 54 and began smoking.
There was nobody else in the car, which Muskevitsch said was a good thing because the front passenger side took the most damage.
New London Fire Capt. Don Conat said the teen admitted to distracted driving.
New London Fire Department, Gold Cross New London Ambulance and Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.
Conat said dispatch first notified Waupaca fire and ambulance because the crash was originally believed to have occurred by Military Road, which is 10 miles west of the scene.