Hibbing father of three among two drivers killed in Wisconsin head-on crash

MINONG, WISCONSIN — Nicholas Groszbach, 47, a Hibbing father of three, and James Paske, 80, of Minong, died in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 53 north of Minong on November 4, 2026, according to Wisconsin State Patrol information reported by Bring Me The News and DrydenWire.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:57 p.m. near mile marker 191 in Douglas County. Investigators said a vehicle traveling south in the northbound lanes collided with a northbound vehicle. Groszbach was driving a 2025 Toyota Corolla, and Paske was driving a 2016 Toyota Sienna. Each man was alone in his vehicle. Authorities had not publicly identified which vehicle was traveling the wrong way in the reports reviewed for this article. The State Patrol continues to investigate.

A fundraiser organized by Niki Steel on behalf of Groszbach’s wife, Pia, says he was returning home from work when the crash occurred. The campaign describes him as the family’s main income earner and says donations will help with funeral expenses, household bills and the needs of their three young children. Pia operates Hibbing Parents Nursery School and Daycare, according to the fundraiser.

The campaign is available at Support for the Groszbach Family on GoFundMe.

Sources: Bring Me The News; DrydenWire — driver identities and crash details; family fundraiser.