APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – An OWI rollover crash on the highway in Appleton Sunday afternoon became the catalyst to other crashes, resulting in two deaths and nine people injured, including a pregnant woman.
The first crash happened just before 3:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-41 at mile marker 144.
Authorities say the driver in that crash sustained serious injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested on suspected OWI. Fox Valley Metro Police is leading the crash and OWI investigation.
That crash caused traffic to backup in the northbound lanes of I-41. That’s when a pickup truck swerved into the median ditch to avoid hitting a vehicle that was slowing down for the backup ahead.
The pickup truck rolled over and a male passenger was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle landed back onto its wheels. The pickup truck then collided with a trailer.
The male passenger of the truck sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The driver of the truck, a pregnant female, sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown to the hospital by helicopter. The female driver was also arrested for operating while under the influence of a restricted controlled substance.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-41 were shut down for the helicopter to land. This caused additional traffic to back up and a five-vehicle crash occurred. Officials say multiple people were taken to the hospital with injuries. A male driver of a vehicle involved in that crash was pronounced dead at the scene.
There were several other minor crashes during the events.
Officials did not provide further details on the crashes, including the second fatality. Wisconsin State Patrol is leading the crash and OWI investigation.
