WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A driver received five citations after crashing into a sheriff’s squad vehicle that was parked along the side of a highway with its emergency lights on.
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday on highway 10 just east of Old 49 Road in the town of Fremont.
The squad vehicle was parked next to the westbound lanes while the deputy was providing traffic control at the site of a crash.
That’s when sheriff’s officials say a westbound vehicle that was traveling at a high speed hit the squad vehicle from behind.
The deputy, who was wearing his seat belt, was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released.
First responders evaluated the other driver at the scene. He declined further medical attention.
Weyauwega police investigated the crash. They ticketed the driver for:
- Operating without a valid driver’s license
- Unreasonable and imprudent speed
- Failure to maintain control of a vehicle
- Failure to change lanes when passing a stopped emergency vehicle
- Failure to have insurance
Sheriff’s officials say the crash is a reminder of the Wisconsin law requiring drivers to move over for vehicles on the side of the road, or slow down if moving over is not possible. That law was recently expanded to cover all vehicles on the side of the road, not just emergency vehicles with their lights on.
