February 26, 2020 – Barton, WI – Nobody was injured following a two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning, Feb. 26, 2020 in Barton. Submitted video shows cleanup underway after a traffic light was leveled in the accident at Main Street and Highway 144.
West Bend Police said the accident happened at 7 a.m. One vehicle was northbound on Main Street and the other was southbound. Both had a green light. The southbound vehicle was preparing to turn north or left to exit the city and failed to yield right of way to the northbound vehicle and the two collided.
The northbound vehicle then struck the traffic light pole knocking it down.
The southbound vehicle was driven by a 30-year-old West Bend man. He was cited for failure to yield right of way.
The other vehicle was driven by a 20-year-old Saukville man. He was not issued any citations.
Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene by Bob’s Main Street Auto and Towing.
Both drivers had motor vehicle insurance.
That insurance will be contacted to pay for the damage to replace the traffic light.
I saw this same thing happen a few years ago where a southbound driver turned in front of a northbound driver and they collided head on. I drive that route every day and turn left onto Barton avenue. Over the years I have almost turned in front of the northbound driver a couple times. The reason is from the perspective of the southbound driver the northbound vehicle can appear to be in the turn lane because of the curve in the road. You literally can’t tell if they are going to turn or come straight until they are very near the intersection.