Crash occurs on I-94 in Eau Claire

On June 21, 2017 at approximately 5:00 PM the Wisconsin State Patrol Northwest Region Communications Center in Eau Claire received a report of a three vehicle crash which occurred on Interstate 94 east bound at mile marker 60. An eastbound semi unit – a 2012 Volvo Tractor driven by Abdullahi Yassin Ali, age 29 of Aurora, CO – was operating in lane two (right lane).

A 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck – driven by Steven J. Blanas, age 48 of Eau Claire – was traveling in the same lane when Blanas was preparing to pass the semi unit. Blanas indicated he attempted to check his blind spot and activated his turn signal to change lanes, and that he underestimated the distance between his vehicle and the semi unit and collided with rear of the trailer.

A third vehicle – a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by Kevin W. Day, age 34 of Altoona – was traveling in the same lane behind the pickup truck. After the collision occurred between the semi and pickup, the PT Cruiser collided with the passenger side of the pickup truck. The PT Cruiser came to final rest in lane one blocking the lane of traffic while the pick truck came to rest in the area between lanes 1 and 2.

Ali was uninjured. Blanas sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire by ambulance. Day sustained minor cuts and scrapes. Blanas was issued a citation for following too close.

A post-crash inspection of the semi unit detected brake violations on the semi unit which rendered the vehicle out of service until repairs could be completed. The brake defects were present prior to the crash. The brake defects did not contribute to the cause of the crash.

Assisting agencies included Eau Claire SO and Township Fire and Rescue.