Minivan slams into semi leaving one dead, another hurt

KENOSHA (WITI) -- One person is dead and one person sustained serious injuries following a traffic accident that occurred Thursday night, April 24th on I-94 just north of 38th St. in Kenosha County. I-94 is under construction in this area.

"Last night during construction, apparently, they closed one of those southbound lanes. They were in one lane of traffic," said Sergeant Bill Beth, from Kenosha County Sheriff's Department.

According to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office, a minivan struck the back of a semi stopped in traffic on I-94 around 10:45 p.m.

"He's gasping for air, help him please!" said Maurice McDowell, driver of the semi-truck, in his 911 call for help.

34-year-old Bram Dorresteijn was driving the minivan and sustained severe head injuries. Flight for Life landed on the closed highway and transported him to Froedtert Medical Center where he remains in critical condition.

Dorresteijn's wife, 33-year-old Shari Dorresteijn, was the passenger and sustained fatal injuries during the crash. Officials say she was not wearing her seatbelt.

Officials say there were no other occupants of the vehicle and the Sun Prairie couple has a 2-year-old son and 2-month-old daughter.

According to officials, 40-year-old McDowell from Milwaukee, sustained minor neck and shoulder injuries. Following the crash, he submitted to a voluntary blood test.

"He didn't see where the traffic was stopping and he ran underneath my trailer," said McDowell in his 911 call.

Authorities say there is no evidence to suggest the driver of the minivan was impaired, however, the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

"Obviously, the van was unable to stop in time. It would seem to indicate there was some speed involved," said Beth.

Following the crash, traffic was diverted for five and a half hours. Both lanes of I-94 were shut down as emergency personnel responded to the wreck.

I-94 in Kenosha County is expanding from three lanes in both directions to four, and has been under construction for years.

"I don't believe we've had a crash this serious during the construction time," said Beth.

As the number of fatalities on the southeastern Wisconsin roadways rises to six, in just one week, Beth says this accident serves as a sobering reminder of the traffic patterns in construction zones.