Tow truck company owner expresses condolences after deputy killed

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Sergio Aleman was killed in a crash that shut down the southbound lanes of I-43 near downtown Milwaukee early Tuesday afternoon.

The wreck happened on I-43 near Juneau Ave. around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The Wisconsin State Patrol says the wreck involved a flat bed tow truck and Deputy Aleman's patrol vehicle. One rear-ended the other. The deputy's vehicle came to rest against the median wall. Deputy Aleman was in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The person driving the tow truck was not hurt.

Deputy Aleman was conveyed to Froedtert Hospital where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

The southbound lanes of I-43 were shut down until about 4 p.m.

FOX6 News spoke with J.J. Sancinati with N&S Towing Company. Sancinati was not driving the tow truck involved in Tuesday's accident, but one of his drivers was.

Sancinati says his driver is shaken up, but doing okay after the crash.

Sancinati told FOX6 News Tuesday evening everyone at the tow lot was in a state of shock to hear Deputy Aleman died shortly after the collision.

"My reaction was 'is the deputy okay?' Nothing else matters. Trucks and cars can be replaced. Nobody wanted to speak. We were all hurt by what happened," Sancinati said.

N&S Towing Company often works closely with law enforcement officials, including helping out with fatal collisions similar to Tuesday's crash on I-43. Sancinati says Deputy Aleman would, at times, block traffic when they've been out on towing calls.

"On major accident scenes, he's there to protect us," Sancinati said.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office expressed their grief at Froedtert Hospital, where Deputy Aleman died. It's a sadness shared by a company who works closely with those who put their lives on the line to protect each day.

"Just want to send our prayers and thoughts out to the family and we're thinking of him," Sancinati said.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke was in California at the time of the crash, taking part in Homeland Security training. He is cutting his trip short, and plans to hold a press conference Wednesday, August 1st at 1:00 p.m.

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