NEILLSVILLE, Wisconsin – A tragic crash at a highway intersection in western Wisconsin claimed the lives of nine individuals on Friday, according to authorities. Reports indicate that a semitrailer on State Highway 95 collided with a van on County Highway J, resulting in the fatal incident. Chief Deputy James Hirsch of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office revealed these preliminary details in a communication on social media.
The collision occurred early in the morning when the van, carrying nine passengers, crossed into the intersection and was hit by the semitrailer. Tragically, eight individuals, including the van’s driver, perished at the scene, while one injured passenger was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The sole occupant of the semitrailer also lost their life in the crash, Deputy Hirsch confirmed.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, with details expected to emerge in the coming days. In response to the tragedy, Governor Tony Evers extended his condolences to the affected families and first responders who swiftly arrived to offer assistance at the scene.
Names of the individuals involved in the crash will be disclosed following notification of their families, as announced by the sheriff’s office. The closure of Highway 95 for several hours after the incident caused disruptions, with aerial footage depicting both vehicles overturned at the crash site.
Situated approximately 50 miles southeast of Eau Claire, the area where the fatal collision took place is now marked by a somber reminder of the lives lost. As authorities continue their investigation, the community mourns the loss of those involved in the tragic incident.