Calves die in interstate crash

ELK MOUND – A semi carrying a load of calves crashed and overturned late Thursday evening, April 4 while turning onto Interstate 94 near Elk Mound in Dunn County.

The driver of the semi, 34 year-old Keith F. Spartz from Wilmont, MN was not injured in the accident. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Spartz’s cargo, however, was not as fortunate as several of the 185 calves that he was transporting died.

According to a report from the Wisconsin State Patrol, Spartz was traveling westbound on State Highway 29 when he turned on to the westbound entrance ramp for I-94. The driver lost control, struck the guard rail and turned the semi on its side. The incident occurred around 10:54 p.m.

Two of the 185 calves escaped but were eventually corralled stated the report. The healthy calves were transferred to another trailer unit by the owner of the semi but some of the animals had to be euthanized due to the injuries they sustained in the crash.

Any enforcement action is pending the conclusion of the accident investigation noted the State Patrol release.