Oak Creek collision; off-duty Milwaukee officer seriously hurt

OAK CREEK, Wis. - An off-duty Milwaukee police officer was seriously injured in a crash in Oak Creek on Sunday, Dec. 3. 

The Oak Creek Police Department identified the off-duty officer as 30-year-old James Nowak. Nowak was the partner of fallen Milwaukee police officer Peter Jerving, who died in the line of duty in February of this year.

James Nowak and Peter Jerving, courtesy of the Nowak family

Oak Creek police say Nowak was driving a car that collided with a semi on S. Pennsylvania Avenue just south of College Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Officials said both the semi and Nowak's car were headed southbound on Pennsylvania. The semi was out ahead and making a U-turn when Nowak's car collided with the trailer.

Nowak was extricated from the car and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said he is "not expected to survive."

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The driver and passenger of the semi were not hurt. Officials say they remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Police said there were no other occupants in Nowak's car.

Crash on S. Pennsylvania Avenue just south of College Avenue, Oak Creek

The Oak Creek Police Department was assisted by the Oak Creek Fire Department, South Milwaukee police and fire departments, Cudahy Police Department, Franklin Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol-Crash Investigation Unit.

Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation.

A GoFundMe has been created to support Nowak's family. Those interested can donate here.

Neighbors provided photos of the crash to FOX6.