Two vehicle crash, State Highway 14 at State Highway 58 with one individual sustaining life threatening injuries.

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 14 at State Highway 58

What happened: On April 6th, 2021 at approximately 12:50 A.M., The Richland County Sheriff’s received a 9-1-1 call reporting a two vehicle crash at State Highway 14 and State Highway 58. At the time, Richland County was also experiencing a county wide cellular service interruption affecting both the 9-1-1 system and regular cellular services which caused further complications. Deputies responded to find one vehicle, a red 2009 Toyota Camry, in the ditch alongside the westbound lanes of Highway 14. The second vehicle, a white 2017 Kenworth Semi pulling a loaded trailer, was stopped farther west on Highway 14. The semi was also hauling recreational size propane tanks, which during the crash had been scattered across all four lanes of Highway 14 forcing the highway to be shut down.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, Richard W. Anderson, 92 years’ old, from Vadnais Heights Minnesota was entrapped in his vehicle and needed to be extricated. Anderson, who sustained life threating injuries, was extricated from his vehicle by the Richland Center Fire Department, treated on scene by Richland County EMS until UW Madison Medflight arrived. Medflight landed at the intersection and Anderson was flown to UW Madison Hospital where his condition is listed as critical. The driver of the semi was not injured in the crash and assisted on scene until emergency units arrived.

Witnesses state Anderson’s vehicle was southbound on State Highway 58, approaching the stop sign at the intersection with State Highway 14 and failed to stop at the stop sign. Anderson’s vehicle continued through the intersection striking the westbound semi. Anderson’s vehicle struck the semi-trailer just in front of the rear axle, where the propane tanks were stored. Anderson’s vehicle was then forced to the shoulder and came to rest in the ditch. Anderson’s vehicle sustained major damage in the crash and was removed by Wegner Towing. The semi-truck was not damaged, however, the trailer was also removed by Wegner Towing due to damages sustained in the crash.

State Highway 14 was shut down for approximately two hours during the incident from County Road O by Wal-Mart and County Road B at Sextonville.

ARREST or CHARGES: At this time, this incident remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.