22-year-old Illinois woman loses control of vehicle on I-43 in Mequon, six sent to hospital

OZAUKEE COUNTY (WITI) -- A woman lost control of a vehicle when she swerved to avoid hitting a deer on I-43 southbound at Highland Road in Mequon injuring six people.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department responded to the crash and say the driver of the vehicle is a 22-year-old woman from Illinois.

Six adult passengers, all from Illinois, sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals. One of the passengers was sent to Froedtert Hospital.

Authorities say a felony charge of operating without a valid driver's license causing great bodily harm has been requested on the driver.

I-43 southbound was shut down between Pioneer Road and Mequon Road for approximately 1 hour -- it has since reopened.