Shawano, Wisconsin – A devastating late-night crash at the intersection of Shawano and Evergreen Avenue has left one young man dead and another critically injured, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. The violent impact, which tore through a utility pole before crushing a tree, turned an ordinary night into a scene of unimaginable tragedy.
Authorities say the crash occurred just before 10 p.m. when a pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed lost control. Witnesses reported hearing a deafening sound followed by the flicker of downed power lines and the screech of twisted metal. By the time first responders arrived, the vehicle was unrecognizable, its frame mangled and parts scattered across the roadway.
Emergency crews worked urgently under flashing lights to free Cameron G. Reinsbach, 21, who was trapped behind the wheel. Firefighters used hydraulic tools to cut through the wreckage while medics provided life-saving treatment at the scene. Cameron was eventually extricated and transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, fighting for his life.
His passenger, Chase M. Nundahl, also 21, was found unresponsive in the passenger seat. Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, Chase was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His sudden passing has left friends, family, and classmates in deep grief, remembering a young man described as loyal, kind, and full of energy for life.
Investigators from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office say early evidence points to speed and alcohol as contributing factors. No other vehicles were involved, and the force of the collision was so severe that the truck split the utility pole before wrapping around the tree. Reconstruction experts are now analyzing skid marks, debris, and vehicle data to determine the precise cause.
The scene at Shawano and Evergreen remained closed for several hours as crews cleared debris and utility workers restored downed power lines. Neighbors gathered quietly nearby, many shaken by the sight of what had once been a pickup truck reduced to shattered steel. For them, it was a grim reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold on familiar roads.
As word spread through the community, tributes began appearing on social media — photos, heartfelt messages, and prayers for both young men and their families. Many expressed disbelief that two lives filled with such promise could be altered in an instant. “It’s heartbreaking,” one friend wrote. “You never think it’ll happen to someone you know.”
Cameron remains hospitalized as doctors continue to monitor his condition. Friends have organized prayer vigils and fundraisers to support both families through the difficult days ahead. Counselors are also being made available for those struggling to process the loss.
Authorities continue to urge drivers to make responsible choices, emphasizing that a single decision behind the wheel can change countless lives forever. “This is a tragic example of what can happen when speed and alcohol mix,” one investigator said. “It’s a loss that ripples through families, friends, and the entire community.”
As Shawano mourns the death of Chase M. Nundahl and prays for the recovery of Cameron G. Reinsbach, the intersection where the crash occurred stands as a haunting reminder — a place where laughter once filled the air, now replaced by silence, sorrow, and flowers laid in memory of a life gone too soon.
