Southbound 41 closed in Washington County for 7 hours due to crash

At 2:10 p.m., the scene has been cleared and the interstate has been reopened.

7:45 a.m. update: Flight For Life just landed on southbound side of highway. Southbound completely closed. Northbound 41 at a crawl. The southbound side will be a lengthy closure. Traffic getting off at Highway 144, which has traffic there backed up to Highway K.

7:10 a.m. update: While the initial crash was getting cleared up, another serious crash involving multiple vehicles occurred north of the original crash, again in the southbound lanes. This will likely cause significant delays in the area for anyone headed south on 41. Highway 45 opened up from original crash.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A fatal motorcycle crash on 41 southbound in Washington County has traffic backed up on multiple highways there.

Because the crash occurred just south of the 41/45 merge, southbound lanes on both highways are affected.

The crash occurred around 5:40 a.m. and Flight For Life was sent to the scene, however didn’t transport due to the rider dying at the scene.

The highway will be closed for a short time while the crash scene is investigated. The detour for both highways is to exit at Pioneer Road and head west to 175 south to 167 back east to 41.

Anyone headed south out of the Fond du Lac County area should expect delays until the highways are opened back up.

At 10:15 a.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued this statement on their socail media…

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single motorcycle crash on I 41 southbound, north of Holy Hill Road in the Village of Richfield. Witnesses reported that the motorcycle had merged onto I 41 from Highway 45 when the driver lost control after rapidly accelerating. An off duty EMT/Firefighter from the Village of Jackson Fire Department was on scene and immediately began providing medical assistance. The Richfield Fire Department and Flight for Life also responded. Southbound traffic was shut down at Pioneer Road on both I 41 and Highway 45. Despite lifesaving efforts, the driver, a 57 year old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. This crash remains under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

While deputies were investigating the initial incident, a secondary multi vehicle crash occurred at approximately 6:58 a.m. on I 41 south of Scenic Drive in the Town of Polk. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received multiple reports that a semi truck had struck several vehicles that were slowing or stopped in traffic. One vehicle became vertically pinned between two semi trucks. The Slinger Fire Department and Lifestar Ambulance were dispatched. Flight for Life was again requested, along with heavy duty tow trucks and the Milwaukee Fire Department Heavy Urban Rescue Team, to stabilize vehicles and assist with safe extrication.

Four adults were transported by ambulance, and an infant was transported by Flight for Life to Children’s Hospital. All sustained potentially serious injuries. A sixth patient self transported to a hospital for treatment. The secondary crash involved two semi trucks and four passenger vehicles. This incident remains under joint investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

All southbound lanes of I 41 remain closed at Highway K, with traffic diverted to Highway 175. Investigators anticipate the closure will remain in place until approximately 2:30 p.m. to accommodate scene investigation and cleanup.

Two major incidents occurring within a short time during morning rush hours placed significant strain on available emergency resources and required coordinated assistance from multiple public safety agencies. Mutual aid agencies included the Germantown and Slinger Police Departments, Washington County Highway Shop, the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Hartford, Allenton, Jackson, and Germantown Fire Departments. Washington County is fortunate to have strong public safety partnerships that allow for effective and efficient multijurisdictional emergency response.