Jose Zuniga Arrested After Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Belmont, Wisconsin

A 30-year-old Wisconsin man identified as Jose Zuniga was arrested following a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in the Town of Belmont, Portage County, Wisconsin.

The collision happened on Sunday, November 8, 2026, along State Highway 22 near the Waushara County line. The crash claimed the life of a 51-year-old woman who was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle, according to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the driver of the motorcycle, a 51-year-old man from Wild Rose, Wisconsin, sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash Reported on State Highway 22

According to the sheriff’s office, emergency communications received a report of the collision at approximately 5:13 p.m. on November 8.

The crash involved a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle. When deputies arrived, they discovered that the driver of the passenger vehicle had left the scene.

The motorcycle passenger, a 51-year-old woman from Wild Rose, died as a result of the crash. Her name has not been publicly released in the available official report.

The motorcycle operator survived but sustained minor injuries.

Jose Zuniga Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing the Scene

Following the collision, deputies located the suspected passenger vehicle a short time later in neighboring Waushara County.

The driver was identified as 30-year-old Jose Zuniga of Wautoma, Wisconsin. Authorities took him into custody and transported him to the Portage County Jail.

The sheriff’s office stated that it was requesting the following charges:

• Homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
• Hit-and-run causing injury.
• Operating while intoxicated.

These are requested charges, not confirmation of convictions. The investigation and legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.

What Happened to the Motorcycle Passenger?

The fatal collision resulted in the death of a 51-year-old woman from Wild Rose who was travelling on the motorcycle as a passenger.

Authorities have not released her identity or additional information about her family.

The motorcycle’s operator, also a 51-year-old Wild Rose resident, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation.

Investigation Continues in Portage County

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the fatal crash.

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

Investigators have not released further details about the events immediately preceding the collision.

Jose Zuniga Arrest and Case Details