Jose Zuniga Arrested After Fatal Belmont, Wisconsin Motorcycle Crash: 51-Year-Old Passenger Killed in Alleged Hit-and-Run

A 51-year-old woman from Wild Rose, Wisconsin, died following a motorcycle collision in the Town of Belmont, Portage County, on Sunday, November 8, 2026. A 30-year-old man, identified as Jose Zuniga of Wautoma, was taken into custody after investigators say the driver of the other vehicle involved left the scene.

According to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened at approximately 5:13 p.m. along State Highway 22, near the Waushara County line. The collision involved a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle.

The woman was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle when the vehicles collided. She suffered fatal injuries and died. The motorcycle operator, also a 51-year-old resident of Wild Rose, survived with minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Suspect Located in Waushara County

Investigators say the driver of the passenger vehicle left the crash scene before authorities arrived. Deputies subsequently located the vehicle in neighboring Waushara County and stopped it.

The driver was identified as Jose Zuniga, 30, of Wautoma. He was arrested and transported to the Portage County Jail.

As of Monday morning, Zuniga remained in custody while the Sheriff’s Office pursued charges connected to the fatal collision. Investigators requested charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, hit-and-run causing injury and operating while intoxicated.

Authorities had not confirmed that all requested charges had been formally filed. The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and Zuniga’s arrest does not establish guilt.

Investigation Into Fatal Motorcycle Collision

The woman who died had not been publicly identified in the available information. Officials also had not released further details explaining how the motorcycle and passenger vehicle collided.

Several emergency agencies assisted with the response, including the Wild Rose Fire Department, Aspirus MedEvac, Waushara County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Medical Examiner, Gold Cross Ambulance and Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash and the alleged departure of the passenger vehicle from the scene.

The collision has left the woman’s family and loved ones mourning an unexpected loss. As investigators work to establish the full sequence of events and determine the next legal steps, the victim’s identity and additional details about the incident remain undisclosed.

The investigation remains ongoing.