DOT video released after truck rolls on I-94
MILWAUKEE --The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has released video revealing what caused a tanker truck to lose control on I-94 Monday, closing the eastbound lanes for over three hours as crews cleaned up canisters of liquid oxygen that spilled across both east and westbound lanes of the interstate.
All lanes of eastbound I-94 reopened just before 3 p.m. Monday. The rollover happened at 11:20 a.m. on eastbound I-94 at 25th St. The driver apparently lost control of his truck which struck the median wall and flipped onto its side, sliding about 20 yards. The truck spilled a load of tanks filled with liquid oxygen. Some of those tanks leaked. Officials say those leaking tanks did not pose a hazardous materials risk. The truck also struck a light pole, and electricians were called to make the necessary repairs.
The driver of the truck was not hurt in the incident. The driver was cited for not controlling his vehicle, but the DOT video shows another driver may have played a part in causing Monday's crash.
A string of urgent calls kept 911 dispatchers busy Monday, after the tanker truck flipped onto its side. A DOT camera shows the truck as it swerves to avoid slowing traffic. The driver loses control, rolls the truck onto its side, and slides into the median wall. More than 100 canisters filled with liquid oxygen broke free - some leaking, and landed in the eastbound lanes.
DOT video also shows what happened minutes before the tanker truck rolled, when another vehicle pulled into the eastbound distress lane and slowed to a stop as cars continued to pass by. When that vehicle re-entered traffic, drivers were forced to slow down. Five vehicles back is the truck that will roll over.
Nothing is known at this time about the driver who pulled into the distress lane. Whether that driver stopped after the truck rolled, or continued driving, is not known.