TOWN OF HARTLAND, WI- A crash involving a snowplow truck and a semi-tractor/trailer shut down westbound lanes of WIS 29 near Bonduel for several hours Monday morning, leaving one person seriously injured.
According to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received multiple calls around 9:50 a.m. reporting a two-vehicle crash near High Line Road, just east of the Village of Bonduel. Initial reports indicated injuries and that the roadway was completely blocked.
Deputies arriving on scene found the driver of the semi trapped inside the cab with serious injuries. Fire crews began extrication efforts, and a ThedaStar helicopter was requested. The snowplow driver sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the vehicle without assistance.
A preliminary investigation indicates the plow truck was actively plowing in the fast lane or median shoulder of westbound WIS 29 when it was struck from behind by the semi, which was also traveling in the fast lane. The impact pushed the plow truck into the median and caused the semi to jackknife into the ditch. Both vehicles sustained severe damage.
“The operator of the semi is a Nevada man,” said Shawano Sheriff George Lenzner. “The plow sustained severe damage and our county employee was able to exit his vehicle and was transported for further investigation.”
A witness reported no vehicles were traveling in the slow lane at the time of the crash. It remains unclear why the semi driver did not move over upon approaching the plow truck. The Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the scene and is conducting a commercial vehicle inspection of the semi.
Because a Shawano County Highway Department vehicle was involved, the Wisconsin State Patrol is serving as the primary investigating agency. Assistance at the scene was provided by the Bonduel Fire Department, Bonduel EMS, Shawano Ambulance, and the Shawano County Highway Department.
Authorities are reminding motorists to remain alert, reduce distractions, and slow down or move over when approaching snowplows and emergency vehicles to help ensure the safety of roadway workers and first responders.
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