A midday drive on Interstate 41 turned deadly yesterday when a sedan slammed into a Dodge County highway department work truck that was towing a trailer on southbound I-41 just south of Highway 28 in Washington County, officials said. The sedan's lone occupant was found dead inside the vehicle at the scene, while the people riding in the Dodge County truck were not injured. Southbound lanes were shut down between Highway 28 and County D for about three hours as emergency crews worked the scene and investigators documented the wreckage. The collision remains under investigation.
What investigators say
Investigators say the Dodge County work truck had slowed in the inside lane to enter an "official vehicles only" median turnaround with its work lights activated when the sedan hit the trailer, then veered into the shoulder guard rail, as reported by FOX6 Milwaukee. Washington County dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls around noon, and at least one caller told dispatchers that someone was trapped and unresponsive.
Agencies and the investigation
In a press release via the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Brad Rodich said the sheriff's office was assisted by the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office and the Dodge County Emergency Response Team. Rodich added that the Washington County crash reconstruction team responded to complete additional scene documentation and that the investigation is ongoing.
Traffic and response
Southbound I-41 was closed from Highway 28 to County D for roughly three hours, snarling traffic during the midday commute, according to KFIZ. Local dispatch reports show Washington County deputies and Allenton Fire and EMS were among the first units on scene, and Dodge County units along with Theresa and Mayville EMS also responded to assist.
The sheriff's office said it will release additional details as the investigation continues and did not immediately release the victim's name, per the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Authorities said the case remains under investigation.
