Breaking Down the Semi Crash at SH 13 and SH 111 in Price County, WI

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Two people were killed Thursday morning in a collision involving a pickup truck and a semi-truck at the intersection of State Highway 13 and State Highway 111 in the Town of Worcester. According to the Price County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls about the crash just after 9:40 a.m. Authorities reported that three people were in the pickup and one person was in the semi. Two of the pickup’s occupants were pronounced dead, while the third and the semi driver’s conditions have not yet been released. The cause remains under investigation.

Crashes like this show how dangerous intersections can be when large trucks are involved. Investigators will need to determine whether driver attentiveness, fatigue, or mechanical issues contributed to this outcome.

Could Fatigue or Distraction Have Been a Factor?

Collisions between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks at intersections often come down to a momentary lapse in attention. For the semi driver, investigators will likely review logbooks and hours-of-service data to see if fatigue was an issue. Distraction is another possibility, and cell phone records or in-cab cameras could provide evidence of whether the driver was looking away from the road or multitasking at the time of impact. Witness statements may also help clarify how the vehicles approached the intersection.

Could Equipment Issues Have Contributed?

Investigators may also need to determine whether a mechanical problem prevented one of the drivers from avoiding the crash. Brake wear, steering malfunctions, or defective tires can limit stopping power and control, especially for a semi-truck. Reviewing inspection and maintenance records will help confirm whether the vehicles were in safe operating condition. If a mechanical failure is identified, responsibility could extend beyond the driver to a repair facility or parts manufacturer.

What Evidence Will Be Important?

The semi-truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) could reveal valuable data about speed, throttle, and braking before the collision. Scene evidence like skid marks, vehicle positions, and impact points will help reconstruct the sequence of events. If any nearby surveillance or dashcam video exists, it may show how each vehicle entered the intersection and who had the right of way.

Why a Full Investigation Matters

With two people killed and others affected, a careful review is needed to understand what happened at this rural intersection. Whether the cause turns out to be distraction, fatigue, or a mechanical issue, identifying the root factors is essential for accountability and for providing answers to those affected by the crash.