Two area men died instantly in a single-vehicle crash on state Route 232 Thursday, Sept. 11.

The 1994 Dodge truck, driven by James Koehler, 23, of New Richmond, was headed west on state Route 232 just outside Bethel at approximately at 9:17 p.m. Reports indicate that Koehler accelerated quickly after turning onto State Route 232. He lost control of the vehicle and drove off the left side of the roadway striking a tree.