A 68-year-old woman from Merrimac, Wisconsin has died after she reportedly lost control of an electric bike while riding downhill, ultimately slamming into a shed at high speed, according to authorities.
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred on the morning of July 22 along Idlewild Road, a stretch known for its steep decline. Officials said the woman had been descending the hill on her e-bike when something apparently went wrong, causing her to lose control of the vehicle.
A witness at the scene told investigators the rider appeared to be moving at an unusually high speed just before the crash. The witness also reported hearing the woman cry out in the moments before her bike veered off the road and crashed directly into a nearby shed, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Despite wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the woman sustained severe injuries, including a deep laceration to her torso and suspected trauma to her head, officials said. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash, but the woman reportedly lost consciousness before help could reach her.
She was airlifted to a hospital in Madison for emergency treatment, but she was later pronounced dead from her injuries.
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash. Investigators say they are looking into two possibilities: whether the woman lacked experience operating the e-bike, or whether a mechanical malfunction with the vehicle played a role in the loss of control. The Sheriff’s Office noted that the investigation remains active, and further details may emerge as officials continue examining the scene and the e-bike itself.
The incident has renewed attention on the growing popularity — and risks — of high-speed e-bikes, particularly on hilly or rural roads where riders can quickly reach dangerous speeds without adequate warning or braking distance.
No further details have been released at this time.
