Interstate 43 - Major Accidents

Major Accidents

On October 10, 2002, a multiple-vehicle collision occurred on I-43, just south of Cedar Grove. The accident occurred on southbound I-43 in Sheboygan County just north of the Ozaukee–Sheboygan county line. It involved 50 vehicles and was found to have been caused by low visibility due to fog at a point where the freeway comes its closest to paralleling Lake Michigan, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from shore. The accident and resulting fires led to the deaths of 10 individuals making this accident the deadliest in Wisconsin history. In addition to the fatalities, 36 people were also injured in the pile-up. According to witnesses at the scene, fire from the wreckage rose over 20–30 feet (6.1–9.1 m) into the air. First responders said many of the bodies they recovered were burned beyond recognition. Then-Sheboygan County Sheriff Loni Koenig said of the accident site, "In my 21 years, this is the most horrific scene I have ever seen, and I'm sure that it is for many of the people there." The accident has since been described as the worst traffic accident in Wisconsin state history.