MADISON, Wis.— A devastating head-on crash on I-90 near DeForest early Sunday morning has left one young life lost and a Portage woman facing multiple felony charges, including homicide.
According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, 30-year-old Noelia A. Martinez is accused of driving under the influence and causing the collision that killed 18-year-old Hallie J. Helgeson, a recent high school graduate from Montevideo, Minnesota. The crash occurred around 12:03 a.m. in the town of Vienna, Dane County.
Martinez is facing the following charges:
- Homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle (with prior conviction/revocation)
- Homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC)
- OWI causing injury – second and subsequent offense
- Operating with PAC causing injury – second and subsequent offense
- Knowingly operating while revoked – causing death
- Knowingly operating while revoked – causing great bodily harm
- OWI – second offense
- Operating with PAC – second offense
- Failure to install an ignition interlock device
The Crash
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find two severely damaged vehicles: a Volkswagen Tiguan and a Chevrolet Suburban engulfed in flames, facing the wrong direction in northbound lanes.
Helgeson, a passenger in the Tiguan, was trapped and unresponsive. Despite attempts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Another male passenger was ejected and seriously injured, later airlifted to a hospital. Witnesses said they had to break windows to free the victims.
The Suburban, driven by Martinez, was reportedly seen traveling southbound in the northbound lanes prior to the crash. Beer cans were found scattered inside her vehicle. When questioned, Martinez appeared confused, believing she was already in Portage. She admitted to drinking before the crash and blew a .208 on a breath test—more than twice the legal limit.
A second crash involving a suspected intoxicated driver occurred nearby while authorities were still on scene, striking an unoccupied DeForest Police squad car.
Remembering Hallie Helgeson
Hallie Helgeson was remembered in her obituary as a gifted, vibrant young woman with a bright future ahead. A recent graduate of Montevideo High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and excelled in tennis, basketball, and softball. Hallie was also a devoted member of Salem Lutheran Church and had plans to pursue a career as an occupational therapy assistant at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota.
Legal Proceedings
Martinez made her initial court appearance Tuesday. If convicted on the most serious charge—homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle—she faces up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. A status conference is scheduled for September 22.
This tragic event has sparked renewed conversations about the consequences of impaired driving and left two families forever changed—one mourning the loss of a beloved daughter, and the other facing the gravity of irreversible choices.
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