A quiet stretch of road in Lac La Belle turned into a scene of heartbreak Wednesday morning, leaving a Wisconsin family shattered and a community searching for words. Ten-year-old Jack Oudenhoven, described as bright and full of life, was killed in a crash that also left two of his siblings injured. In the days since, an outpouring of support has pushed a GoFundMe campaign past $80,000, a reflection of how deeply this loss has been felt.
The crash happened just after 7 a.m. on March 25 along State Highway 67 at McMahon Road. According to authorities, traffic was moving northbound when a 34-year-old driver collided with another vehicle that had stopped, waiting to make a turn. Inside that second vehicle were three siblings, including Jack, who was seated in the back.
Behind the wheel was Jack’s 16-year-old brother, Levi, navigating what should have been a routine morning drive. In the front passenger seat sat another sibling, Reaghan. Within seconds, that ordinary moment gave way to chaos. The impact was severe, and first responders quickly arrived at the scene.
Jack was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother and sister were both rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The 34-year-old driver involved in the crash was also taken to the hospital with injuries, though details about his condition have not been made public.
At Meadow View Elementary School, where Jack was a fourth grader, the loss hit especially hard. School officials remembered him as a smart, well-liked, and athletic child. He was the kind of student who connected easily with teachers and classmates, someone whose presence filled a room without trying too hard.
In a letter to families, the district superintendent shared that Jack’s family made the decision to donate his organs, a choice that speaks to their strength in the face of overwhelming grief. Even in loss, they chose to give others a chance at life, a detail that has resonated across the community.
The fundraiser created in Jack’s honor aims to ease the financial burden facing the family. Funds are expected to go toward funeral arrangements, memorial services, and medical expenses for his injured siblings. By late Friday, donations had already climbed past $80,000, with contributions continuing to come in from friends, neighbors, and strangers moved by the story.
Police say the crash is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made. For now, the focus remains on healing—on a family trying to cope with a loss that cannot be measured, and on a community coming together to carry them through it.
