June 22, 2020 – Washington Co., WI – More information is being released regarding two separate accidents on Sunday, June 21, 2020 on I41 in Washington County.
The Washington County Sheriff handled the first one accident which was only a property-damage accident.
According to Sheriff Martin Schulteis a 31-year-old Horicon man was driving aggressively and then struck a trailer camper. That caused significant debris on I41, which caused total lane shutdowns.
The secondary crash was much more significant and occurred 13 minutes later and ¼ mile south of the original scene at I41 and WI 60.
Washington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 31-year-old man for OWI drug related. A K9 sniff revealed suspected Fentanyl in the vehicle. Tests are pending.
The man was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated Causing injury, Possession of Narcotics, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, two counts of Felony Bail Jumping, one count of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.
“The interesting legal question will be if he will be criminally liable for the injuries that occurred during the secondary accident,” said Schulteis. “The DA’s Office will have the opportunity to evaluate that once the investigation has finished.”
The secondary accident was handled by Wisconsin State Patrol.
“There were three vehicles involved in the crash on the interstate,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Richard Krisher. “Flight for Life was called and a male was transported. Another male and female in a vehicle were transported by ambulance and another female was going to seek medical attention but was not transported.”
Krisher said there were no children involved. He did not have the latest details on the people injured however he confirmed there were no fatalities.
Flight for Life landed at Held’s Meat Market just off I41. Officials said it was the safest area for the helicopter to land as it responded to the accident scene.
Below is a press release received Monday, June 22 at 1:45 p.m.
Crash Information – Initial Release
Highway: I-41 NB Location: WIS 60 County: WASHINGTON
At 2:49 PM on Sunday June 21, 2020 a crash occurred on I-41 NB at WIS 60 in WASHINGTON County near SLINGER.
Assisting agencies included Washington County Sheriff, Slinger Police Department, Slinger Fire Department, Lifestar Ambulance, Flight for Life, and Washington County Highway Department.
The crash involved 4 injuries.
The details of the crash are as follows:
The Wisconsin State Patrol and Washington County Sheriff are investigating a series of crashes, possibly caused by an impaired driver that occurred yesterday afternoon northbound I-41 in Washington County. This initial crash is being investigated by Washington County Sheriff.
At approximately 3:02 p.m., backed up traffic resulted in a secondary crash involving another three vehicles, two of them becoming fully engulfed in flames. The initial striking vehicle of this secondary crash was transported via Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital with non-life threatening, but serious injuries. This crash is being investigated by Wisconsin State Patrol.
The northbound interstate was closed at Pioneer Road in WASHINGTON COUNTY with traffic re-routed onto Pioneer Road.
