APPLETON, Wis. —The community of Grand Chute is grappling with the tragic aftermath of a deadly crash that claimed the lives of two people in a minivan on March 24, 2025. According to authorities, 63-year-old John Litza, a truck driver from Marathon County, allegedly ran a red light before colliding with the minivan. Litza now faces two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, as outlined in a criminal complaint.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of West Wisconsin Avenue and North McCarthy Road, where rescue crews arrived to find the scene devastated. Emergency personnel provided immediate first aid to the couple in the minivan, but tragically, both succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Authorities have not released the names of the victims.
According to the complaint, witnesses reported that the semi-truck driven by Litza ran a red light, directly causing the collision. However, investigators also noted that weather conditions at the time may have contributed to the accident. A detective indicated to the victims’ family that a snow and ice storm had left the eastbound traffic signals partially obscured, potentially making the red and yellow lights difficult to see. One witness verified that the couple had a green light when the collision occurred, which would have made the traffic signal red for the semi.
Investigators also reviewed the truck’s dashcam footage, which confirmed that the traffic lights appeared heavily covered by snow for eastbound traffic. While the video did not clearly reveal the signal’s color at the exact moment of the crash, it further highlighted the hazardous driving conditions that morning.
Litza’s attorney appeared in court Thursday, though Litza himself was not present. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10, and bond has not yet been set. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, carefully examining witness statements, dashcam footage, and environmental factors, including the snow-covered roadway and obscured traffic signals.
The Grand Chute community has been deeply affected by this tragic event. Residents continue to mourn the loss of the two victims, whose lives were cut short in what investigators describe as a devastating combination of human error and severe weather conditions. Law enforcement urges anyone with additional information regarding the crash to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers posed by winter driving conditions and the importance of attentiveness at intersections, especially during severe weather. The investigation into the crash and Litza’s alleged negligence remains active as authorities prepare for upcoming court proceedings.
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