Ozaukee County fatal I-43 crash among other winter-weather crashes Wednesday

SAUKVILLE, Wis. - One person was killed and several others were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-tractor-trailer Wednesday afternoon in Ozaukee County, one of many southeastern Wisconsin crashes related to the day’s winter weather.

Ozaukee County fatal crash

What we know:

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded around 3:11 p.m. to a crash on Interstate 43 at State Highway 33 in the Town of Saukville.

Investigators said a semi tractor-trailer traveling southbound on I-43 lost control and jackknifed before crossing the median into the northbound lanes. The semi was then struck by two northbound vehicles — a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and a 2018 Ford Fusion.

The semi came to rest in the northbound lanes, blocking both lanes of traffic. Authorities said the two northbound vehicles became pinned underneath the semi-trailer.

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The driver of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials later identified this person as 71-year-old Thomas Paine of Johnson Creek.

The 29-year-old Racine driver of the Ford Fusion suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Aurora Medical Center in Grafton.

A third vehicle, a Subaru Forester traveling northbound, also struck the semi and came to rest in the gore area between the northbound lanes and the exit ramp to State Highway 33. The Subaru was carrying three Chicago occupants. The driver, a 36-year-old Chicago man, and front passenger, a 36-year-old Chicago man, were hurt. A 1-year-old child in a safety seat in the back of the vehicle was not hurt. 

The driver of the semi, a 49-year-old West Allis man, was not hurt.

Northbound lanes of I-43 were closed for more than five hours as first responders worked at the scene and traffic was diverted at State Highway 33. All northbound lanes reopened at about 8:35 p.m.

Other crash

Dig deeper:

Southbound lanes were closed at County Trunk LL in the Town of Port Washington after a semi jackknifed and blocked both lanes, forcing traffic to divert onto County Trunk D near Belgium.

Sheboygan County incident

What we know:

Crews also came across two crashes in Sheboygan County, both involving I-43. In one incident, a semi-trailer jackknifed off the road and landed in a ditch. 

Minutes later, responders encountered another crash where a truck towing a trailer hit a road sign and slid into a ditch.

Over in Wauwatosa

What we know:

In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin DOT video appeared to show a large pileup involving a county bus near Highway 100 and Capitol Drive.

Drivers encouraged to stay safe

What they're saying:

Authorities said no injury reports had been confirmed from any of the crashes as of Wednesday evening.

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Drivers traveling ahead of the holiday reported difficult conditions as snow, ice and falling temperatures complicated travel.

"Just that they’re icy. I just left work by the hospital next door. Sidewalks are icy, roads are icy, so a little bit. It’s looking like about an hour to get home," said Megan Spitzer, who lives in Milwaukee.

"It’s not bad. My car can get through most of the snow so I’ve been in worse," said Nick Tegel, who was traveling to Illinois.

AAA estimates about 1.4 million Wisconsinites will be hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday. Officials are urging drivers to slow down, leave extra space and give room to emergency crews responding to crashes.

Road closures were expected to last several hours as first responders worked the scenes, with updates to be provided as conditions improve.

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