COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. — A quiet neighborhood on the edge of an industrial park in Cottage Grove was shaken this week after a woman was struck and killed by a car while walking her dog.

What You Need To Know

  • Cottage Grove chiropractor Dr. Kami Hansen was killed Monday evening after a car jumped the curb and struck her and her son during a family dog walk
  • Hansen’s son remains hospitalized and is undergoing surgery; their dog also died in the crash, which is still under investigation
  • The community is rallying to honor Hansen’s legacy, including plans for a memorial at the crash site and a fund to support her family
  • The Cottage Grove Chamber and Community Foundation have set up a donation fund to assist the Hansen family with medical and funeral expenses

Dr. Kami Hansen, a chiropractor and board member of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, died Monday evening when a car jumped a curb, crashed through a fence, and came to rest in an embankment near the Grand Appliance and TV warehouse.

Hansen's dog was also killed in the crash. One of Hansen’s sons was hospitalized and is undergoing surgery. The driver of the car was also injured.

Tyson Hocking, a warehouse associate at Grand Appliance, said he was still trying to process the damage left near a makeshift memorial marked with flowers and pet plushies.

“I don’t know how somebody couldn’t have corrected themselves that far,” Hocking said. “It’s devastating to this community, I think.”

In a Facebook statement, the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce described Hansen as a beloved Chamber member who served on the Board of Directors for six years and was actively involved in two committees.

“She loved her community and always wanted the very best for it,” the statement read. “Paul, Hunter, Riley and Dylan—we are here for you and we will help you in any way that we can.”

To honor her memory, Grand Appliance Senior Safety Manager Pawn Singh and Hocking took photos at the crash site not just for insurance purposes, but to help clear the area, so the community can come transform it into a memorial space.

“We're family operated, family owned,” Singh said. “So, we get it. Our goal is to definitely get this up and running and have that memorial.”

The Chamber is now partnering with the Cottage Grove Community Foundation, which has a memorial fund account set up for tragic events like this.

Those wishing to help the family with expenses may make checks payable to The Cottage Grove Community Foundation.

Cash donations will also be accepted. Contributions can be dropped off at the Chamber office, located inside the Bank of Sun Prairie at 419 W. Cottage Grove Rd., or mailed to PO Box 211, Cottage Grove, WI 53527.

Investigators said the crash remains under investigation.