UPDATE: 1:05 p.m. Monday
Numerous cars are still stuck on I-41 after the chain reaction crash which led to one death, 71 injuries and 131 cars involved.
WTMJ news partner TODAY’S TMJ4 found numerous cars still stuck on the freeway’s side after Sunday’s crash.
UPDATE: 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz provided an update on the chain reaction accident from earlier today.
131 vehicles were involved in the accident. In addition to the one death, 71 people were taken to area hospitals for treatment of injuries. As of Sunday evening five remain hospitalized.
I-41 is expected to reopen at some point tonight as most of the clean up and on-scene investigations have been completed. The sheriff’s office says they are awaiting for weather conditions to improve.
UPDATE 3:45 p.m. Sunday
In a press conference this afternoon, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Todd Christopherson says today’s accident on I-41 southbound near Neenah is one of the worst he has seen in his 27 years in law enforcement.
Christopherson says the chain reaction crash is estimated to have involved over 100 vehicle. It began just after 11 a.m. near the interstate’s County Road G overpass. There were whiteout conditions at the time the initial 911 calls came into the dispatch center.
As of mid-afternoon, one person is confirmed dead, with multiple people injured. They are being treated at hospitals in Oshkosh, Neenah, Appleton, and Green Bay. Everyone else involved in the accident but not injured were transported away from the scene.
UPDATE 4:35 p.m. Sunday
Justin Kern, Communications Officer with the American Red Cross, tells WTMJ Radio they are assisting around two-dozen people from the accident scene at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Neenah. Volunteers are providing food and drinks, helping to connect them with medical resources, and will assist with reconnecting them with loved ones and finding lodging for the night in the nearby area if necessary.
Anyone seeking information about people possibly involved in the accident can contact the sheriff’s office’s call center at 920-236-7459.
I-41 Southbound between Highways 10 and 76 are closed as law enforcement investigate a possible cause and emergency responders clean up the scene. The State DOT says it will remain closed at least through 10 p.m. tonight, but it could be extended longer. A detour has been set up using Highway 45.
ORIGINAL POST:
Emergency crews have shutdown all southbound lanes of I-41 in Winnebago County because of a crash involving more than 40 vehicles.
The stretch of freeway is closed near Highway G south of Appleton.
Police have removed everyone involved in the accident and have confirmed one person was killed. There are numerous other injuries.
The Wisconsin DOT says to expect the shutdown to continue for over 10 hours. Drivers are asked to go west on Breezewood Lane and go south on WIS 76 back to I-41 for an alternate route.
Press conference at 3:15 at the Sheriff’s Office. Inside conference room.
— Winnebago County SO (@WCSO_Wisconsin) February 24, 2019
Update: Police have removed everyone from the multi-vehicle crash on I-41 in Neenah. 1 fatality. Numerous injured transported to hospitals. I41 will be CLOSED multiple hours.
— WisDOT NE Region (@WisDOTnortheast) February 24, 2019
All SB lanes of I-41 CLOSED south of Appleton at County G. Law enforcement working to clear multiple vehicle crash. pic.twitter.com/dZ1M1oepbZ
— WisDOT NE Region (@WisDOTnortheast) February 24, 2019
Update: All I-41 SB lanes at County G in Neenah will be CLOSED 10+ hours to clear multi vehicle crash. More than 40 vehicles involved. Detour in place.
— WisDOT NE Region (@WisDOTnortheast) February 24, 2019
