Mosel, Wisconsin (April 12, 2026) — A 48-year-old Sheboygan man was killed Sunday afternoon after he exited his vehicle on Interstate 43 and was struck by a passing semi-truck, according to authorities.
Officials later identified the deceased as Jason Landgraf of Sheboygan.
The crash happened at about 4:12 p.m. on northbound I-43 south of Garton Road in the town of Mosel.
Incident Details: According to the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, Landgraf had pulled his Ford Explorer onto the shoulder of northbound I-43 and exited the vehicle before a northbound semi tractor-trailer struck him. Authorities said lifesaving efforts were attempted, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders from multiple agencies assisted at the crash site.
Later reporting said investigators do not currently believe road construction, alcohol, drugs, speed, or weather were factors in the crash. Authorities also said the Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the crash reconstruction. Public reporting has not provided additional details on why Landgraf stopped on the shoulder or what happened in the seconds just before impact.
Investigation: In a crash like this, investigators will likely focus on where Landgraf was positioned after exiting his vehicle, how close the semi was to the shoulder, and whether any roadway or visibility issues affected the driver’s ability to avoid him. When a pedestrian is struck on the shoulder of an interstate, the exact positions of both the pedestrian and the commercial vehicle often become central to understanding what happened.
Investigators may also review scene measurements, vehicle position, roadway markings, witness statements, and any onboard or nearby video evidence to determine how the collision occurred. Because authorities have already ruled out several common factors, the investigation may turn more heavily on lane placement, driver perception, and the circumstances that led Landgraf to be outside his vehicle on the shoulder in the first place. This is the kind of collision that calls for a careful reconstruction so a family can get real answers.
Legal Considerations: Fatal crashes involving a semi-truck and a person outside a stopped vehicle can still raise important civil liability questions, even when drugs, alcohol, speed, and weather are not suspected. In a commercial vehicle case, a civil investigation may also examine the truck’s operation, the driver’s conduct, and other safety issues that may not be fully addressed in the first public report.
Should the investigation reveal that the semi-truck driver’s negligence caused the crash, Mr. Landgraf’s family could have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Through such a claim, they may recover damages for the loss of financial support, funeral and burial costs, and the intangible losses of love, care, and companionship.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Jason T. Landgraf.
Source: Sheboygan Press; WBAY