UPDATED Thursday, March 10, 2010 --- 3:45 p.m.

From the Dane Co. Sheriff's Office:

Detectives with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office have determined inattentive driving was a contributing factor in Tuesday nights fatal crash in the town of Burke. Evidence indicates the deceased victim, Kathy A. Endsley age 51 of Baraboo, was text messaging at the time of the crash.

The driver of the semi truck was Larry L. Christensen, age 66 of New Richmond, WI. Christensen was not injured in the crash. The investigation of the crash remains open pending toxicology results from the State Crime Lab.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind motorists to give driving their full attention. According to the US Department of Transportation, in 2008 nearly 6,000 people were killed in motor-vehicle crashes where inattentive driving, including text messaging, was a factor.

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UPDATED Wednesday, March 10, 2010 --- 1:58 p.m.

Release from the Dane County Coroner's Office:

The Dane County Coroner’s Office has positively identified the victim of last evening’s crash on USH 51 and East Metro Drive, in the Town of Burke, as:

KATHY A. ENDSLEY
51 YEARS OLD
BARABOO, WI

Kathy is formerly of Deforest, Wisconsin. Kathy died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

The crash is still under investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and the Dane County Coroner’s Office.

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UPDATED: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 --- 2:48 a.m.

Dane County Dispatch tells NBC 15, Highway 51 has been reopened for traffic after the crash investigation.

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UPDATED: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 --- 11:34 p.m.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any additional information other drivers in the area at the time of the crash may be able to provide. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to call the Tipster Hotline at (608) 284-6900.

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UPDATED Tuesday, March 9, 2010 --- 9:53 p.m.

From the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

At 7:39 p.m. Dane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Sun Prairie Fire and EMS, and Maple Bluff EMS responded to the intersection of USH 51 and Token Creek Ln. in the Town of Burke for a car vs. semi fatality crash.

The semi was pulling off of Token Creek Ln. onto USH 51. While in the northbound lane of USH 51, a collision occurred between the semi a northbound car. The driver of the car, and lone occupant, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

No additional information about the persons involved or the cause of the crash is available at this time. Personnel from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team, Investigative Services Bureau, and Lab Evidence Technicians are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash at this time.

The northbound lanes of USH 51 in this area is currently closed to through traffic.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any additional information other drivers in the area at the time of the crash may be able to provide. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to call the Tipster Hotline at (608) 284-6900.

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Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 --- 8:38 p.m.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office tells NBC15 that one person died in a crash north of Madison.

The crash happened on Highway 51 near Metra Drive, just north of the Interstate.

The Sheriff's Office says a car hit a semi-truck, killing the driver of the car, who was the only person inside.

There's no exact cause given yet, but the Sheriff's Office says weather does not appear to be a factor.

Highway 51 will be shut down north of I-39/90 while the crash reconstruction team takes care of the scene.

Stay with NBC15 for the latest information on this crash.