I-894 crashes; 2 sheriff squads struck by different vehicles

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. - A crash on Interstate-894 involving a Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) squad vehicle led to another crash involving a different squad vehicle.

"It’s a revolving concern of ours," said MCSO Capt. Charles Stowers of the Patrol Division.

Damage to one of the MCSO squad vehicles

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, shortly before 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, an MCSO deputy got out of his squad vehicle on I-894 near 60th Street to remove debris from the road. His squad was then struck by an impaired driver, who admitted that he had been drinking earlier, officials said.

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Minutes later, a second squad responding to help was then struck by a different driver. It was so damaged it had to be towed away. That driver later told deputies he did not realize a lane closure was imminent.

Damage to a MCSO squad

No one was hurt in either crash and the first squad struck sustained minor damage. The driver of the first striking vehicle was examined by medical first responders as a precaution.

Message not getting through to drivers

Stowers has been with the MCSO for nearly 26 years. But there is a message he said is not getting through to many drivers. 

"Yeah it’s frustrating to be commander of this division and some of the things you think are common sense…it’s not," Stowers said. 

Stowers is talking about slowing down when there is an emergency responder on the side of the road. 

"I don’t know how we can express to them that red and blue lights mean emergency ahead," Stowers said. 

Move Over Law

It is the law in Wisconsin – called the Move Over Law. It requires drivers to move over or slow down when there are first responders and public safety vehicles stopped ahead. 

"You have to pay attention to what is going on in front of your windshield," Stowers said. 

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The Greenfield Police Department will investigate both crashes and determine whether to refer either crash to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, and if so, for what charges.

Again, the MCSO said the first driver was arrested and cited for Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense. The second driver will be cited for Failure to Change Lanes for a Stopped Emergency Vehicle, more commonly known as the Move Over Law.