Payton Bleskacek and Simon Loga, 2 Elmwood boys died after Memorial Day crash

Simon Loga, 13, and Payton Bleskacek, 14 were not only stepbrothers but best friends. Both died from injuries received in a car crash on May 29 in Barron County.

The Elmwood community is reeling after a tragic Memorial Day car crash in Barron County claimed the lives of two teens. A celebration of life will be held for Simon Loga, 13, and Payton Bleskacek, 14, from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 at Elmwood High School gymnasium. Both boys just graduated eighth grade from Elmwood Middle School.

According to a news release from Barron County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash at 5:52 p.m. Monday, May 29 on Highway 25 at County Road A north of Ridgeland between a vehicle driven by Brody Bleskacek, 17, Elmwood, and a van, driven by a 54-year-old Rice Lake man. The van was heading north on Highway 25, while the car was westbound on County Road A.

Brody Bleskacek was traveling with brother Payton Bleskacek, 14, and stepbrothers Simon Loga, 13, and Seth Loga, 17. Simon Loga died at the scene. An ambulance transported Brody Bleskacek to an area hospital with serious injuries; he has since been released.

A helicopter flew Seth Loga to a hospital in Eau Claire, where he remains in serious condition. A second helicopter flew Payton Bleskacek to a Twin Cities hospital, where he died at 4:17 p.m. Friday, June 2 as a result of his injuries.