OSSEO, Wis. — Authorities in western Wisconsin are trying to sort out multiple crashes along an icy Interstate 94.
WITI-TV reported more than 100 vehicles were involved in a pile-up Thursday morning in Jackson County. WEAU-TV reported that authorities were dealing with multiple crashes, including a semi-trailer on fire, and that the interstate was impassable between Osseo and Northfield.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol didn’t immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking details. Jackson County Emergency Management Director Kristina Page said in a brief telephone interview that she didn’t have any information but that she expects the State Patrol to issue a news release soon.
The State Patrol’s Eau Claire post tweeted early Thursday morning that freezing rain had left roads icy and hazardous.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I’ve been thinking about this horrible situation old trick on slick roads check your mirrors if there is ice on them the roads are probably slick just an old pavement navigator moving forward keeping American moving one load at a time. With Respect. RR
I was heading from Minneapolis to Racine, WI. Broke traction – badly – about the 80mm. Went about 25MPH to the 88 (Osseo) and shut it down. There was an accident at the 80 mm within 5 minutes after I broke traction there. The big pile up was happening as I was eating breakfast.
I’m so thankful that I chose to take US-53 from LaCrosse to Osseo the night before. I had just enough time to make it to Bloomer that night if I took that route. Normally I would have taken I-90 to I-94 west to US-53 north. It’s a bit farther but I like the interstate better because of potential parking, fuel, and usually a better highway. I decided to get back to start my Christmas/New Years week vacation. The next morning I was loading up my pickup truck and it started to rain. Unusual December weather for Wisconsin and it was icing up quick. I took my time as I drove north out of Bloomer. Fortunately I was out of the rain with in 10 miles. Had I taken the longer route the night before I may have made Black River Falls and had gotten up only to be involved in that horrible mess. They rain sure wrecked a lot of Christmases.