A Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy and his six-year-old K9 partner are on the mend after a driver plowed into their squad car on I-94 in Oak Creek, injuring both as they worked to shield people from an earlier crash.
Deputy And K9 Hit While Guarding Earlier Wreck
According to WISN, Deputy Mindel was inside the squad with K9 Ryker near northbound I-94 and Drexel Avenue when another vehicle slammed into them around 4:30 a.m. Monday. The updated account adds detail to the initial report, which had indicated there were no serious injuries.
The crash highlights just how exposed deputies are when they respond to freeway wrecks and traffic hazards. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office notes it provides law enforcement coverage across 158 miles of federal and state expressways in the county, where even a routine traffic call can turn dangerous fast.
Driver Told Authorities They Were Exhausted From Road Trip
The vehicle that struck the squad stayed on scene and had a man, a woman and a small child inside, WISN reported. All three were taken to a hospital to be checked out and treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening, and the driver told deputies they were tired after a long road trip.
Mindel is recovering, while Ryker is “fighting to recover,” according to the sheriff's office update. No arrests were made and no citations were initially issued, and officials say the circumstances of the collision remain under review.
Sheriff's Office Urges Exhausted Drivers To Pull Over
The sheriff's office is using the crash as a reminder that if you are too tired to notice flashing emergency lights, it is time to get off the road. Officials urged motorists to pull over and rest, or let another adult take the wheel, especially near crash scenes where stopped emergency vehicles and deputies may be working just beyond the normal flow of traffic.
