Two Semi-Trucks Lose Control and Jacknife, Causing Multi-Car Pileups in Milwaukee
As the temperatures dropped in the early morning hours of January 13, 2009, two separate semi-truck accidents caused major delays on US-41/US-45.
On US-45 Southbound, around 5:30 a.m., a semi-truck lost control and jackknifed, causing an 11 car pileup. While most the cars were able to stop in time to avoid the semi-truck, some were not so fortunate and crashed into the semi-truck. Ambulances were on the scene.
In a separate crash that occurred around 3:00 a.m., on US-45 Northbound, another tractor-trailer lost control and jackknifed near the Good Hope Road exit, near Park Place. The Northbound lanes were closed for over two hours.
While icy road conditions contributed to the semi-truck accidents, clearly the truck drivers were traveling too fast for the dangerous conditions. Again, these truck drivers failed to use "extreme caution" when operating their rigs, in violation of federal law.
