ARKANSAW, Wis. – Two young people died in a fiery automobile crash on U.S. Highway 10 between Durand and Plum City. A 12-year-old Minnesota girl riding in her family’s pickup died when she was trapped inside the burning wreckage. The other driver, age 18, from nearby Durand, also died. Passersby, some with medical training, pulled four people from the burning pickup, but it was too late for Joeclynn Passon, age 12. It also was too late for Ethan Whitwam, 18, of Durand, who was in the other car. The rescuers provided medical aid as best they could until first-responders arrived, police said. In the pickup was a famiy of four from Waseca in Minnesota. An 8-year-old, Drake Passon, was airlifted 25 miles to an Eau Claire hospital in critical condition. The parents also were taken to the hospital. The father, Steven Passon, 40, was in critical condition. The mother, Jessica Psson, 36, was treated and released. The Passons were in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up. The collision was about 2:40 p.m. at the U.S. 10 intersection with Sylvester Road. The collision was head-on. Deputies said a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Whitwam, 18, was beaded east toward Dyrannd and crossed the center and struck the Passon pickup.
