Wisconsin Semi Truck Driver Killed at Dangerous, Unguarded Wisconsin Southern Crossing
(Sherman, Wisconsin – August 14, 2024)
A 66-year-old semi-truck driver was killed as he attempted to cross Wisconsin Southern railroad tracks last week on August 14, 2024. The driver was struck by a freight train that also derailed just after 2:00 pm near Sherman, Wisconsin. Authorities have yet to release the name of the truck driver.
Local investigators determined the driver was headed westbound when he was struck by a northbound freight train on Abbott Road. The railroad crossing is only equipped with yield signs and lacks any active warning devices, such as lights and gates, to warn of an oncoming train.
Local residents expressed concerns about the dangerous nature of the crossing after the crash. Amber Gadlin’s parents live right next to the railroad crossing. She stated that the crossing intersects “a fast-moving road, there’s no stop sign, there’s no rail arms, nothing, no lights. Anything. Just a yield sign.” It’s an area her parents have always been concerned about.
As mentioned, the railroad crossing where this collision occurred is unprotected by any active warning devices, such as lights and gates. The railroad industry has long known that the installation of lights and gates at these unprotected crossings saves lives. It is virtually certain that the addition of lights and gates could have prevented this tragedy. Studies that have been conducted over fifty years ago confirm that lights and gates offer the ability to drastically reduce the number of vehicle/train collisions by as much as 96%.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crash.
