Several seriously injured in fatal I-94 crash
Multiple people were injured last Monday after an SUV crossed the I-94 median and crashed into oncoming traffic. According to various media reports, the crash occurred on Interstate 94 near Baldwin, Wis.
One woman was killed in the crash and three others were seriously injured. A semitrailer was also involved in the incident.
“The crash happened at U.S. 63 at about 8:50 a.m., according to a statement from the Wisconsin State Patrol. Westbound traffic was detoured, and the eastbound lanes were slowed as first responders worked,” an article posted on Twincities.com reads. “Right now, we know that it wasn’t weather related because the roads were good in that area, so we aren’t sure what caused the woman to go through the median and into oncoming traffic, Patrol Sgt. Kirk Danielson said.”
A press release from the State Patrol explains that an eastbound Chevrolet Equinox SUV traveled through the median and into the westbound lanes. The Chevrolet struck a Toyota Prius and a Ford Fusion after crossing into the lanes. A westbound semitrailer then struck the Chevrolet and Toyota.
“The Chevy driver was thrown from her vehicle,” the article reads. “Two other people were trapped in the Toyota and needed to be extricated; they suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash. All three were taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where the ejected driver died.”
The driver of the Ford was reportedly taken to River Falls Hospital with minor injuries. The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently investigating the crash along with help from the St. Croix sherriff’s department and Baldwin-Woodville fire and EMS.
“The woman who died is from Wisconsin, though not from the area,” Danielson said in the article. The woman’s name had not been released as of last Tuesday afternoon.
“According to information gathered from the police scanners, hazmat was called to the scene shortly after the occupants of the vehicles were taken away … to check on a 55-gallon drum of highly corrosive materials that was reportedly being hauled by a semi,” the article reads.
According to the article, the drum slid to the front of the trailer when the semi came to a stop. Hazmat arrived on scene at 10:27 a.m. to help handle the materials.
