9 dead, 1 injured after a semi collided with a van in west-central Wisconsin
DEWHURST, Wis. — Nine people are dead after a crash between a semi and van shut down a stretch of Highway 95 Friday in west-central Wisconsin.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office said the fatal crash happened on the highway near County Road J in the Township of Dewhurst, which is about 50 miles east of Eau Claire. The crash was reported at 7:53 a.m. Friday morning.
According to the sheriff's office, the van was driving north on the county road and entered the intersection at Highway 95. That's when the semi, which was eastbound on the highway, collided with the van.
In a recent post on X, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers lamented the crash, thanked first responders and confirmed the deaths of nine people.
Kathy and I are saddened today by the fatal crash that occurred in Clark County, tragically taking nine lives.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) March 8, 2024
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of all those involved, as well as the first responders who worked quickly to provide support at the scene.
Coroner Clarissa Rochester pronounced the driver of the semi dead at the scene. There were nine people in the van, eight were pronounced dead at the scene, including the driver. One passenger in the van survived — a 2-year-old boy. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital.
Allen Gross, a family friend, says those killed in the van include 23-year-old Orlah Schrock; his wife, Ellen; and their 6-month-old daughter, Judy Rose. Orlah's sister, 21-year-old Delilah Schorock, also died.
Lavada Stout, the ex-wife of the person driving the van says the man often offered trips for Amish people.
"Your heart sinks. You just don't know how to act, don't know how to take it, or if any suffered before they died," Stout said.
Names of everyone involved have not yet been released to the public.
That stretch of Highway 95 was closed for hours on Friday, and motorists were asked to avoid the area. The crash has been cleared and Highway 95 and Highway J have been reopened to traffic.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is assisting the Clark County Sheriff's Office with the investigation.
UPDATE: Wisconsin officials release names of 7 Virginia residents killed in crash that claimed 9 lives