BARRON COUNTY -- A crash occurred on County Highway I in Barron County near Chetek earlier today, according to information released from the Wisconsin State Patrol. The crash involved 1 fatality and 2 injuries.
(Release) -- On January 13, at approximately 12:52 pm, a Ford Escape which was westbound on CTH I struck the rear of a semi unit which had been traveling eastbound on CTH I and was turning northbound onto 22 3/4 Street. A passenger in the right front passenger seat of the Escape received fatal injuries in the crash. The driver of the Escape was transported by Lifelink 3 to Mayo Eau Claire for treatment of his injuires, but was later released. A passenger in the rear seat of the Explorer was transported to a hospital in Barron for medical treatment and was later released as well. The driver of the semi unit was not injured in the crash. A consensual blood draw was obtained from the driver of the Escape for chemical testing to rule out impairment.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.
PARTIES INVOLVED
Unit 1: Truck Tractor(Semi Attached) (2015 Freightliner Semi Tractor)
- Driver: Robbins, Shawn Charles
- 42 Year Old Male From Rice Lake, WI
- Injuries: None
- Transported To: N/A
- Seatbelt Use: Yes
- Enforcement Action: Pending Investigation
Unit 2: Van/SUV (2002 Ford Escape)
- Driver: Wakefield, Edward Joseph
- 53 Year Old Male From Dallas, W
- Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
- Transported To: Mayo Eau Claire
- Seatbelt Use: Yes
- Enforcement Action: Pending Investigation
Unit 2: Van/SUV (2002 Ford Escape)
- Passenger: Halpin, Ashley L 33 Year Old
- Female From Chippewa Falls, WI
- Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
- Transported To: Mayo Barron
- Seatbelt Use: No
- Enforcement Action: Pending Investigation
Unit 2: Van/SUV (2002 Ford Escape)
- Passenger: Warnecke, Robert J
- 46 Year Old Male From Dallas, WI
- Injuries: Fatal
- Transported To: N/A
- Enforcement Action: No
Assisting agencies included Chetek PD, Chetek Fire, Chetek Ambulance, Barron Ambulance, Barron Sheriff’s Department, and Lifelink 3 Medical Helicopter.
Last Update: Jan 14, 2020 7:10 am CST
