On Friday, the Wisconsin State Patrol reported that a total of 85 vehicles were involved in a highway collision, leading to 21 people injured and in need of medical attention.
The injuries sustained by these individuals were not considered to be life-threatening, and those in need of medical help were successfully transported to nearby hospitals. The State Patrol also announced this update in a post on their Facebook page.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday, state troopers were notified of a major car accident on the I-39/90 highway. The location of the major pileup was close to the Wisconsin-Illinois border.
The collision caused a full blockage of the highway and necessitated a lengthy period of time before normal traffic flow was restored. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, both sides of the highway were fully open again by 9:45 p.m.
The Wisconsin State Patrol has attributed the cause of the pileup to a “severe winter weather event.” This troublesome weathe was characterized by heavy snowfall, icy roads, and whiteout conditions. These conditions likely played a role in the initial crash.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the majority of southern Wisconsin through Sunday morning, warning of potential hazardous road conditions.