SUV driver in custody after fleeing crash with motorcycle on I-94 at Drexel

Suspect flees crash on I-94

Crash on I-94 NB near Drexel in Oak Creek

OAK CREEK -- A major crash between an SUV and motorcycle left drivers stranded for hours on I-94 northbound Friday afternoon, Aug. 23. The freeway mess ended with a manhunt and arrest of a fleeing driver involved.

Traffic started flowing again with lanes reopening just before 9 p.m.

"I'm just thankful I was stopped before I was in the accident," said Robin Abel, stranded driver from West Bend.

Some drivers were left with nowhere to go, except a detour to the closest home.

"Some of the nice neighbors here are offering water and an opportunity to use their bathroom," said Jennifer Schonauer, who was traveling from Chicago to Pewaukee.

Crash on I-94 NB near Drexel in Oak Creek

Other neighbors helped any way they could as drivers sat for more than three hours.

"We saw the whole entire aftermath because we're like right in front," said Alyssa Joslin, stranded driver.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office says a motorcycle and SUV crashed just south of the Drexel exit around 4 p.m. The driver of the SUV ran from the scene in what the MCSO called a serious injury crash. After a short manhunt, that driver was taken into custody.

Crash on I-94 NB near Drexel in Oak Creek

"I was following my mom to get here, my aunt was with her and jumped out to help as soon as the cars slowed down enough because she's a biker too and she noticed they were all motorcycles and ran out to help," said Kayla LeGrow, who was traveling from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

People spilled out from their cars trying to figure out what happened and why.

"I was praying for the people in the accident but I'm just grateful, I may have to sit and wait here for hours but at least I'm safe and OK," Abel said.

It is not clear where the SUV driver was taken into custody.

Crash on I-94 NB near Drexel in Oak Creek