recent Milwaukee car crash news (Sheriff's deputy killed)

[colinstu]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/sb-43-closed-for-a-time-due-to-crash-vn6akmg-164457996.html

http://fox6now.com/2012/07/31/deputy-killed-in-i43-wreck/ (video here too)

I was driving home from work when I hit the traffic that nearly just started (probably around 12:15 or so. hit a wall of stopped traffic between Walnut & Brown St). When I got to the scene of the crime, I43 wasn't shut down yet and people were able to cut through the wreckage (center lane + people cut through gore point for Highland Ave exit ramp). Left shoulder had the crashed vehicle and tow truck, police car blocking the #1 lane, #2 lane people were slowing driving through, #3 lane + merge nose had pieces of wreckage in them.

No official word has gone out yet, but what it looks like is the tow truck slammed on the brakes when he was in the #3 (right) lane. The deputy wasn't paying good enough attention and/or didn't brake hard+fast enough and slammed his truck right into the bed of the tow truck... the bed slicing right into the truck's cab. Sad story.

This rightmost lane is known pretty well for being slow at times. Most of it is caused by people who want to exit on the right ramps for I43, but gotta deal with slow merging/weaving traffic from Fond Du Lac Ave. When this #3 lane gets slow, people eventually start staying in the #4 exit lane which is much faster (for Highland Ave) and cutting into the #3 last second. This results in even more stops and slow traffic. The tow truck probably had to brake hard from a nice 45-65mph down to a sudden 0-35mph... and the Deputy didn't fare too well.

I feel bad for him losing his life, his family and coworkers now w/o him and such.

EDIT: Two new articles:
http://fox6now.com/2012/08/01/community-unites-following-loss-of-sheriffs-deputy-sergio-aleman/
http://fox6now.com/2012/08/01/deputy-sergio-aleman-latest/ (has two videos)
http://www.fdlreporter.com/viewart/20120801/FON01/308010362/Wis-deputy-died-after-slamming-into-tow-truck

[Brandon]

Moral of the story: pay attention and don't tailgate.  Regardless of the actions of the tow truck, it is the Deputy's fault for following too closely.

[colinstu]

Moral of the story: pay attention and don't tailgate.  Regardless of the actions of the tow truck, it is the Deputy's fault for following too closely.

Yep it's his fault. One would think all the massive skid marks in that lane would be a hint to slow down.