Homes evacuated: Driver slams into natural gas line near We Energies facility

RACINE (WITI) -- Racine County Sheriff's officials say speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in a crash in which a 21-year-old driver went through a fence, and slammed into a natural gas line.

It happened on Monday, May 26th just after 8:00 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 20 and Honey Creek Road in the Town of Waterford.

Sheriff's officials say a single vehicle, driven by a 21-year-old woman went through a fence surrounding a We Energies main line gas junction station -- and slammed into a natural gas line -- breaking it open, and venting natural gas into the air.

The driver was apparently trapped in the vehicle.

The first deputy on scene determined that the gas line struck was a high pressure gas line -- and the area needed to be evacuated.

That same deputy was able to pull the driver out of the vehicle and carry her to safety.

She was the only person in the vehicle -- and is said to have sustained head injuries. She was taken to an area hospital, and then transferred to Froedtert.

Sheriff's officials say the gas line was flowing for about an hour-and-a-half before We Energies could turn the line off.

All traffic was blocked from entering the area -- and nearby homes were evacuated.