Wisconsin Crash: 9 Dead, 1 Injured After Semi-Truck, Van Collide at Intersection
A devastating collision between a semi-trailer truck and a van at a central Wisconsin highway intersection resulted in nine fatalities and one injury, as confirmed by authorities.
The fatal Wisconsin crash occurred on Friday morning in Dewhurst Township at the intersection of Highway 95 and County Road J, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
The tragic collision transpired when a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound on Highway 95 collided with a van heading northbound on County Road J shortly before 8 AM local time, according to ABC News.
Preliminary reports from the sheriff's office suggest that the van, upon entering the intersection, was struck by the semi.
Regrettably, eight individuals in the van, including the driver and the semi-truck driver, succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The lone survivor, a passenger in the van, suffered injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital.
At this time, details regarding the survivor's condition have not been released, pending family notification.
Authorities have abstained from disclosing the names of those involved, respecting the process of notifying their families.
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Heroic Efforts Amidst Tragedy
Amidst the wreckage, a harrowing tale of survival unfolded.
Jason Jahn, a Marine Corps veteran from Neillsville, rushed to the scene and discovered a little boy, Micah Schrock, as the sole survivor of the Wisconsin crash.
Schrock had been thrown from the van during the collision. Jahn, displaying courage and quick thinking, pulled the boy to safety, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Despite his attempts to rescue others, the van succumbed to flames, leaving Jahn shaken and mourning the loss of fellow travelers.
Jahn, reflecting on the tragedy, expressed that he believes he was at the scene for a reason, emphasizing the need for extra vigilance at the intersection.
A makeshift memorial, including small wooden crosses and heartfelt messages, has emerged at the Wisconsin crash site, with locals and Amish community members paying their respects and hoping it serves as a reminder for increased caution.
Community Mourns and Calls for Safety Improvements
Residents, including Marcie Parker and Karli Berg, gathered at the accident site to pay their respects and expressed the profound sadness gripping the community.
Parker lamented the frequent accidents on this stretch of the highway and called attention to the challenges faced by trucks descending the nearby hill.
Berg echoed the sentiment, emphasizing gratitude for arriving home safely every night, MPR News noted.
Hatfield, a tourist town known for its seasonal population fluctuations, has a close-knit community that includes Amish families running various small businesses.
Lori Bixby, owner of the Deer View bar in Hatfield, highlighted the Amish's valuable contributions to the community.
As investigations into the tragic incident continued, Governor Tony Evers offered condolences, expressing sympathy for the victims' families and acknowledging the rapid response of first responders.
The area of the crash, located approximately 50 miles southeast of Eau Claire, witnessed Highway 95 closure for several hours, with overhead footage revealing the aftermath of the collision.
Authorities assure that the names of the Wisconsin crash victims will be disclosed following family notifications.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: 9 dead after a semi collides with a van - From TMJ4 News
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