Man identified, dog killed in crash involving Alliant Energy truck in Columbia Co.

A man and his dog were killed in a crash Friday morning after authorities say an Alliant Energy utility truck failed to stop at a sign in Columbia County.

Columbia Co. Sheriff Roger Brandner said the crash in Dekorra Township occurred at the intersection of County Highway CS and County Highway V at 9:20 a.m. He said a 2016 International Alliant Energy utility truck failed to stop at the stop sign and hit a 2008 Chevy Impala.

Brandner said the 66-year-old driver from the Poynette area and his dog were declared deceased on-scene. The 66-year-old man killed in the crash has been identified as Stephen J. Riggins, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

The truck driver was not injured in the crash and has been cooperative with the investigation.

"We take safety seriously at Alliant Energy, and the safety of our customers, employees and the public are our first priority. We will conduct our own internal safety investigation," Annemarie Newman, Senior Communications Partner for Alliant Energy said in an emailed statement to NBC15 on Saturday afternoon.

Roads were shut down for approximately three hours while first responders worked the scene.

Other agencies assisting on scene during the incident include the Wisconsin State Patrol, Poynette Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Poynette Fire Department, Poynette EMS, UW Med Flight, Columbia County Highway Department, Columbia County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lodi Vet Clinic and Blystones Towing.

Statement from Annemarie Newman, Senior Communications Partner for Alliant Energy:

"Around 9:20 a.m. on Friday, January 10, an Alliant Energy employee driving one of our utility trucks was involved in an accident with another vehicle.

The accident occurred in the Lake Wisconsin area in the town of Dekorra and it resulted in a fatal injury to the driver of the other vehicle and the driver’s dog.

We are keeping the individual’s family, loved ones and friends in our thoughts during this very difficult time. We’re cooperating with local officials in their full investigation of the accident.

We take safety seriously at Alliant Energy, and the safety of our customers, employees and the public are our first priority. We will conduct our own internal safety investigation."