Pair injured in semi-car crash

HAMMOND — Slippery, snow-covered roads contributed to a two-vehicle crash in the Town of Hammond late Wednesday afternoon, December 23 that left two people injured.

Benjamin LaMonte Johnson, 19 years old of Minneapolis, MN and his passenger, 18-year-old Allison Maria Wesener of Edgar, WI were injured when the car they were riding in crossed the center line on US Highway 63 and was struck by a semi driven by Waylon Lee Stoltz, 30 of Ham Lake MN. The crash occurred at 4:27 p.m. in the Town of Hammond some 500 feet north County Highway E.

Witnesses told the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office that Johnson and his passenger where northbound on USH 63 when he lost control of his 2001 Buick Century and crossed over the center and was struck on the driver’s side by Stoltz’ southbound 2015 Peterbilt semi. The report stated that the Johnson car then spun and the back end of the vehicle was struck by the tractor-trailer. The car came to rest in the east ditch while the semi and trailer stopped on the roadway blocking both lanes of traffic.

Johnson was transported to the Baldwin Area Medical Center by Baldwin EMS and was then transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN with unspecified injuries. The car’s passenger, Allison Wesener was also taken to the Baldwin Area Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries. Stoltz was not injured in the crash.

All three people involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

The Sheriff’s Office said that weather was a factor in the crash as it was snowing when the accident occurred and the roadway was covered in snow.

The trailer was a tanker used to haul gasoline but law enforcement officials reported that it was empty at the time of the crash. US Highway 63 remained closed for a few hours while deputies investigated the accident.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, United Fire and Rescue and the Baldwin EMS.

No enforcement action, if any, was noted in the news release.