Sheriff: Truck Driver Says Brakes Failed Before Fatal Wis. Crash

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities are investigating a crash between a semi and pickup truck that claimed the life of a 49-year-old Wisconsin man, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

At 11:57 a.m. Tuesday, the sheriff's office was notified of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 48 and County Highway E in McKinley Township, Wisconsin. Due to the severity of the injuries suspected, two air ambulances were requested.

Investigators say 55-year-old Ronald Jay Ebert of St. Paul was traveling southbound on CTH E in a commercial semi-truck. Ebert told deputies when he approached the intersection with posted stop signs, he applied his brakes but experienced a mechanical problem and was unable to stop.

When Ebert passed through the stop sign and entered the travel lanes of STH 48, he struck a Chevy pickup driven by 75-year-old Allan Seierstad of Cumberland, Wisconsin. The truck was traveling westbound on STH 48 with 49-year-old Ricky Gauthier of Radisson, Wisconsin in the passenger seat.

The crash moved both vehicles off the roadway into the southwest ditch. Seierstad and Gautheier both required lengthy extrications to remove them from the vehicle.

After extrication, Seierstad was immediately flown to a Twin Cities hospital for treatment of injuries suffered. Gauthier was taken by ambulance to Cumberland Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, authorities said.

Seierstad's condition is not known at this time.

The crash is still under investigation.