21 injured people is the toll in a major Rock County, Wisconsin crash on I-39/90 with 85 vehicles involved on Friday, January 27, 2023. The accident occurred at 12:30 pm between Beloit and Janesville near marker 181. Due to the severe winter condition, a chain traffic accident blocked both Interstate directions for almost a whole day.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) report, the accident occurred near the Illinois-Wisconsin border on Friday. Snow, ice, and whiteout conditions caused the initial crash. This chain traffic accident involved 85 vehicles. The Wisconsin State Patrol received a report at 12:30 about a major traffic accident. The Interstate was closed entirely from that time.
The crash resulted in heavy traffic delays and all drivers were advised to avoid this area. The southbound traffic was diverted to Avalon Road, and the northbound traffic was diverted to Shopiere Road.
The supporting agencies were on the scene, helping to clear the road, assisting motorists, and helping investigate the accident.
In this crash, 21 people were injured. Fortunately, no one was killed. All the wounded were transferred to a local area hospital. No one’s life was in danger.
Several miles-long columns soon formed on the road.
Police reported that southbound lanes were first opened near County Highway on Interstate 39/90 at 8:10 p.m. on Jan. 23. The northbound lanes were open at 9:10 pm. so the entire I-39/90 was open for traffic.
The second major crash occurred on the Illinois – Wisconsin border on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 1:45 p.m. on Interstate 94 westbound at Russell Road. This accident involved up to 70 vehicles. Fortunately, no one was killed in this chain collision. 27 people were injured and taken to the hospital.
The cause of this major pileup was severe weather conditions.
After the collision, the road was blocked, which created miles of queues in this region. The Wisconsin State Patrol notified the police department of a traffic accident on the Illinois border. After this announcement, the interstate was closed to traffic.
To avoid congestion, traffic was diverted to Route 173 and Russell Road.
According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a traffic accident with 21 injured people in a major crash on I-39/90 with 85 vehicles involved and an accident on the Illinois – Wisconsin border on Interstate 94 was caused by severe winter weather conditions.
Drivers are urged to drive carefully since the National Weather Service is reporting that all roads in Wisconsin are slippery due to winter weather.
