50 to 60 vehicles involved in massive collision on I-43 SB at Mequon Rd.

MEQUON (WITI) -- The southbound lanes of I-43 were shut down Sunday afternoon, December 8th near Mequon Rd. because of a multiple-vehicle wreck -- leaving some stranded on the freeway for hours.

Ozaukee County Sheriff's officials say a vehicle entered the median on I-43 SB just north of the Ozaukee/Milwaukee County line around 11:00 a.m.

Immediately thereafter, Sheriff's officials say numerous 911 calls were received regarding a multiple-vehicle crash occurring in the area.

Six tow companies were called to the scene.

Ozaukee County Sheriff's officials say their initial investigation revealed that the falling snow had covered the roadway and had intensified immediately preceding the 911 calls.

Sheriff's officials say what caused the massive collision remains under investigation.

It is unknown how many injuries were reported, along with their severity.

I-43 SB was closed for approximately four hours, but was eventually reopened.

Sheriff's officials say it is believed that 50 or 60 vehicles were involved in the incident, along with one semi tractor trailer. The precise number of vehicles involved is unknown.

Zach Wiklin was one of those who came out to try to help those stranded on Sunday.

"I was on my way back from Taco Bell, so it's all sitting in the truck right now in the driveway just waiting. During average accidents and stuff like that they go by areas and zones and all that stuff, but stuff like this -- it's just kind of clean it up and get it out. They end up calling everyone around and everyone just sends out who they have and what they have," Wiklin said.

It took Lynnette Johnson two hours to travel almost no distance, but you'd never know it based on how much fuel she went through in that time.

"I was almost out of gas. It was getting pretty low. I was just praying that I was going to make it," Johnson said.

Take a look at pictures from the scene sent in by a FOX6 News viewer.



Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.