UPDATE #3: Parties involved
Unit 1: Truck Tractor (Semi Attached) (2013 Volvo Semi Truck)
Driver: Obodzinski, Zdzislaw - 76-Year-Old Male from Palatine, Illinois
Injuries: Fatal
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Unit 2: Pickup Truck (2019 Ford F-150)
Driver: Shearer, James Michael - 45-Year-Old Male from Hammond, WI
Injuries: Fatal
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Unit 3: Passenger Car (2019 Chevrolet Equinox)
Driver: Placencia, Raul - 34-Year-Old Male From Minneappolis, MN
Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Passenger: Pesantis, Mayra - 38-Year-Old Female From Minneappolis, MN
Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Passenger: Name will not be released due to being a juvenile - 6-Year-Old Female rom Minneappolis, MN
Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Passenger: Name will not be released due to being a juvenile - 16-Year-Old Male From Minneappolis, MN
Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Unit 4: Truck Tractor (Semi Attached) (2020 Volvo Semi Tractor)
Driver: Singh, Charanjit - 35-Year-Old Male from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Injuries: None
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
Unit 5: Truck Tractor (Semi Attached) (2023 Freightliner Cascadia)
Driver: Bye, Scott - 49-Year-Old Male from Orangeville, Illinois
Injuries: None
Seatbelt Use: Yes
Alcohol Use: No
Enforcement Action: No
UPDATE #2:
The Dunn County Sheriff posted that all westbound on-ramps are now open.
Update #1 from the Wisconsin State Patrol - 10/24/2023 at 11:24 am.
On the evening of Monday, October 23, westbound traffic on I-94 at MP 25.5 had significantly slowed due to congestion caused by a construction zone lane closure at that location. A 2013 Volvo semi unit traveling at highway speed failed to identify the slowed traffic ahead of it and struck a Ford F150 and a Freightliner semi unit. This initial impact caused a chain reaction crash involving four additional vehicles.
Multiple vehicles burst into flames after the impact including the two semi units listed above. One of the semi units burned under the State Highway 128 overpass which necessitated closure of State Highway 128 until the bridge could be assessed for structural integrity. The operator of the striking semi and the Ford F150 were fatally injured in the crash. All other vehicle occupants which suffered injuries were treated and released. Names of those fatally injured are being withheld until family notifications can be made. I-94 westbound was closed until the overpass could be inspected and repairs to the roadway were completed, but the interstate has reopened now. State Highway 128 at I-94 is opening at this time.
Media release regarding closures.
Because of a multi-vehicle crash Monday, Oct. 23, the bridge that carries WIS 128 over I-94 at exit 28 in St. Croix County will remain closed until further notice.
In addition, the following will be closed by 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 to limit traffic backups on westbound I-94:
Westbound exit 28 on-ramp.
Westbound exit 32 at County Q in Dunn County.
Westbound exit 41 at WIS 25 in the Dunn County city of Menomonie.
Motorists, especially morning commuters, should plan accordingly.
For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s Northwest Region:
Follow us on Twitter: @WisDOTnorthwest
Crash Information - Initial Release
Highway: I-94 WB
Location: I-94 WESTBOUND AT MILE MARKER 28
County: ST. CROIX
At 5:38 PM on Monday October 23, 2023, a crash occurred on I-94 WB at I-94 Westbound at mile marker 28 in ST. CROIX County near WILSON.
No assisting agencies were reported.
The crash involved 02 fatalities and 06 injuries. Vehicle and occupant information, if available, is on the last page(s).
The details of the crash are as follows:
Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers and Inspectors, St. Croix County Deputies, and multiple fire and EMS units responded to a 7-vehicle crash. There are 2 confirmed fatalities at the scene. The scene is currently active and under investigation. The Highway 128 overpass at that location is closed until the possibility of structural damage can be assessed.
This is all of the information that will be released at this time. Due to the complexity of the crash and the on-going investigation, another update will be given by 11 a.m. tomorrow morning.
