Semi truck driver ‘likely saved life’ of woman pulled from burning car in Wisconsin

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) credited a truck driver for rescuing a woman from a crashed and burning passenger vehicle near Sparta, Wisconsin, over the weekend.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on June 5, a 911 caller reported a car vs. semi crash at State Highway 16 and the I-90 Exit 28 off-ramp.

The caller told police that the car was on fire and that a female was injured. The driver of a semi truck had removed the woman from the car after it caught fire, MCSO said.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene to extinguish the vehicle fire and transport the woman to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

MCSO explains how the crash happened and how the quick response of the truck driver likely saved a life:

“Based on the initial investigation, it appeared the car had stopped at the stop sign on the off-ramp. The semi was westbound on State Highway 16 crossing the overpass. The car pulled out in front of the semi, causing the semi driver to attempt to avoid a collision. The car continued forward and struck the side of the semi-trailer. The semi-trailer drove partially over the car and pushed it into the north ditch. The car then started on fire with the driver still inside. The semi driver’s quick actions in removing the driver from the vehicle likely saved her life. The names of the drivers involved won’t be released at this time.“

MCSO and the Wisconsin State Patrol are still investigating the crash.