Man transported by Flight for Life after colliding with semi on I-41 in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A 22-year-old Beaver Dam man was take to the hospital by Flight for Life with suspected life-threatening injuries Friday morning, June 23rd following a collision with a semi.

The accident happened around 8:30 a.m. on southbound I-41, north of CTH FD/Pioneer Road, in the Town of Polk, Washington County.

Personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Fire Department responded to the scene. Upon arrival, first responders observed that a passenger car had rear ended a semi tractor-trailer.

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The operator and sole occupant of the passenger car appeared to be seriously injured, and Flight For Life was called to the scene.

A preliminary on-scene investigation revealed the southbound semi tractor-trailer, operated by a 42-year-old Salt Lake City, Utah man, was stopped and legally parked on the far right shoulder/emergency lane.

Officials say the semi tractor-trailer had previously experienced mechanical difficulties and its four-way flashers were activated.

Witnesses indicated that the southbound passenger car, operated by a 22-year-old Beaver Dam man, had been exceeding the speed limit and driving and passing erratically prior to the crash. Moments before impact, the operator of the passenger car attempted to pass a group of vehicles utilizing the far right shoulder/emergency lane.

In the process, the passenger car struck the rear of the legally parked semi-trailer.

The driver of the semi was not injured.

Rescue personnel extricated the operator of the passenger car, and transported him from the scene (via ambulance) to a nearby parking lot where Flight For Life had landed.

The operator was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with suspected life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

I-41 southbound was closed at STH 60 for approximately 1.25 hours to facilitate rescue, investigative, and clean-up operations. The temporary detour utilized STH 60 east to southbound USH 45.

The Wisconsin State Patrol, Slinger Police Department, and Jackson Police Department assisted with the I-41 closure/detour.