MILWAUKEE — A tractor-trailer hit an electronic signboard and injured a Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy Tuesday night on Interstate 41, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
Around 10 p.m., Milwaukee County sheriff deputies responded to a crash northbound on I-41 at Drexel Avenue. A tractor-trailer had breached a construction lane closure and crashed into an electronic signboard, pushing the signboard over the median wall and into oncoming southbound traffic.
A deputy shut down northbound traffic. He attempted to to pull the signboard off the median wall and back onto the northbound side. In doing so, a tractor-trailer traveling southbound hit the signboard with its trailer and continued southbound. The signboard struck the deputy, knocking him to the ground and landing on top of him.
Another deputy and a good Samaritan helped lift the signboard off the injured deputy. Emergency medical services responded from the Oak Creek Fire Department. The deputy was sent to the hospital and is in serious, but stable condition according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
These crashes are being handled as two separate incidents. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is handling the initial, northbound crash, and the Wisconsin State Patrol is handing the crash that injured the deputy.
The driver in the northbound crash had a valid driver's license and showed no signs of impairment. The driver is being cited for unreasonable imprudent speed/failure to control the vehicle.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is looking for the driver involved in the second crash. The tractor-trailer is describes as a white Fed-Ex with tandem trailers.
If anyone witnessed this crash or has any information related to this incident, call the Milwaukee County Sheriff's dispatch at 414-278-4788.
