Ozaukee County Semi-Crash Results in Another Fatality
Regretfully, last Thursday's, October 8, 2009, Ozaukee County semi-truck accident has now resulted in the death of a Mequon woman that was critically injured in the crash. Mary J. Parker passed away Tuesday at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. She was a passenger in her 1995 Cadillac Seville, which was being driven by Jimmie D. Juhaz, 64, of Cedar Grove, who had to be extricated from the car after the semitrailer truck slammed into them and an SUV on northbound I- 43 in the Town of Belgium, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.
The crash also resulted in the death of the driver of the SUV, Donald J. Sherman, 78, of Stickney, Illinois. Mr. Sherman's wife, Roberta, and two others were injured in the collision.
The two vehicles that were struck by the semi-truck had slowed to exit on Highway D because I-43 was closed between Belgium and Cedar Grove for emergency repairs to the shoulder of the freeway.
According to authorities, the semi-truck driver, Curtis D. Hawkins, 36, of Dexter, Missouri, claimed he had been reaching for a snack and when he looked up he realized he was closing in on the Cadillac. At that point it was too late to stop and the semi-truck slammed into the Cadillac and then the SUV driven by Sherman, dragging it over 100 yards before coming to rest in the ditch.
The roads were also wet at the time, as it was raining. Professional truck drivers are required to use extra caution in poor weather conditions.
Authorities say charges have not yet been issued against Hawkins or the trucking company.
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