Police identify 9-year-old girl who died in Combined Locks crash

COMBINED LOCKS, Wis. (WBAY) - Police have identified 9-year-old Mackenzie M. Van Eperen from Kimberly as the young girl who succumbed to her injuries from the crash in Combined Locks on Friday afternoon, according to a statement released by the Wisconsin State Patrol Northeast Region, Fond du Lac Post.

Police also said the driver of the truck that struck the girl is 59-year-old Brian James Du Frane, from Kaukauna. He did not suffer any physical injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a bobtail semi-tractor unit, driven by Du Frane, was traveling southbound on South Washington Street when the driver struck Van Eperen.

The Wisconsin State Patrol Fond du Lac post, along with Fox Valley Metro Police Department and Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the crash at approximately 3:06 p.m. on June 2.

Assisting agencies included Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, Fox Valley Metro Police Department, Kimberly First Responders and Fire Department, Combined Locks First Responders and Fire Department, Buchanan First Responders and Fire Department, and Kaukauna Ambulance, according to the statement.

The Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit was on the scene investigating the crash.

Meanwhile, a meal train and money donation drive was started for Mackenzie’s family. More information on how to participate and the organizers can be found here:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/ly5r04?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1IZyCndlJlwotnNOhLF50hJ4jTnrcfIK0QwZ-1_4Sn-4bVRzqJV8Do7FY

Copyright 2023 WBAY. All rights reserved.