NEILLSVILLE, WI (WSAU) – A Clark County highway worker who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle has been identified.
Russell J. Opelt, 57, died while clearing a downed tree that was blocking County Road G in the Town of Hendren after a storm on Sunday morning around 1am. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A second highway worker, David L. Murphy, was also struck. He was able to call 911, and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been released.
Sheriff’s deputies believe the driver that struck the worker, Cory Neumeuller, was drunk at the time of the crash. He’s facing charges of intoxicated use of a vehicle resulting in death and speeding. He is awaiting an initial appearance in Clark County court.
