Jefferson County, WI — March 17, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 1 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 94.
Authorities said a semi-truck hit a pedestrian who had walked out onto the highway after car he had been riding in ended up in the ditch on the south side of the road near Sullivan.
The pedestrian, a minor, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Jefferson County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes involving pedestrians on highways raise serious concerns about visibility, driver awareness and whether the pedestrian had safe options to avoid walking into traffic. In this case, reports indicate that a minor was struck and killed by a semi-truck on Interstate 94 after exiting a vehicle that had gone into a ditch. A full investigation should determine whether this was due to poor visibility, lack of safe roadside access or another contributing factor.
One of the most important questions investigators should answer is why the pedestrian walked onto the highway. Was the individual trying to get help, confused about their location or avoiding a more dangerous situation in the ditch? High-speed roadways are not designed for pedestrian access, so authorities should determine if the person had any safe alternatives, such as a nearby shoulder or emergency lane.
Another key factor is whether the truck driver had any opportunity to avoid the pedestrian. At 1 a.m., visibility is naturally reduced, and pedestrians are especially difficult to see on high-speed highways. Did the truck driver have enough time to react, or was the pedestrian in the road unexpectedly? Reviewing black box data, dashcam footage and any available witness statements will be critical in understanding whether this was an unavoidable collision.
Weather and road conditions should also be considered. Was the area poorly lit, making it harder for the truck driver to see? Were there wet or icy conditions that may have contributed to the initial vehicle ending up in the ditch? If environmental factors played a role, authorities should determine whether additional safety measures, such as improved lighting or better roadside barriers, could have helped prevent the crash.
At this stage, there isn’t enough public information to determine exactly what led to this crash. But if authorities focus only on the impact without investigating why the pedestrian was on the highway — whether due to disorientation, poor visibility or lack of safe roadside access — they risk missing key details. A thorough investigation should take all possible factors into account to ensure a full understanding of what led to this crash.
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