MOUNT PLEASANT — Interstate 94 is back open in southeastern Wisconsin after a fiery, fatal crash involving two semis and several other vehicles closed lanes in both directions.
Christopher Schmaling, of the Racine County Sheriff’s Department told the Racine County Eye this is the worst crash he’s seen in his 24 years of duty.
Police say the northbound lanes reopened early Thursday after repairs were made to the roadway. Southbound lanes reopened late Wednesday.
The Racine County Eye reports a semi tractor trailer was traveling southbound at 11 a.m. on I-94 near 50th Road when a tire blew. The semi crashed into the barrier and over corrected, pushing the vehicle into the northbound lane. A northbound semi hit the barrier, veered to the right, toppling over the right lane barrier and dangling over the east frontage road, the Racine County Eye reports.
Both semis burst into flames, killing both drivers and setting other vehicles on fire. Three northbound cars crashed, injuring two people.
A Flight for Life helicopter was called to the scene, but was unable to fly because of adverse weather, Tammy Chatman, a spokeswoman for the service told the Journal Sentinel. There had been scattered rain showers throughout southeastern Wisconsin most of Wednesday morning.
Chatman said Flight for Life sent one of its ground units to help instead.
