Vernon County, WI (September 28, 2025) – Two people were injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving a commercial truck that shut down a stretch of Highway 27 for most of Sunday.
Accident Details: Authorities said 61-year-old Terry Erickson was stopped in the southbound lane, waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway.
Traveling behind him was 54-year-old Suzanne Bassette, who noticed a semi-truck approaching from the rear at a high rate of speed and not slowing down. To avoid a collision, Bassette swerved off the road to the right.
The semi, driven by a 17-year-old, attempted to brake but began to jackknife. The trailer struck the utility trailer on the back of Erickson’s car, tearing it from his vehicle, before continuing forward and colliding with a northbound car driven by 68-year-old John Sharp.
The force of the crash ejected the semi driver, who suffered serious injuries. He was airlifted to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Sharp was also badly hurt and required extrication from his car before being transported to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
Bassette was not harmed in the incident. Another motorist, 38-year-old Justin Clark, who had been traveling north behind Sharp, veered into a field to avoid being struck. Clark and his passengers were not injured.
Highway 27 remained closed until shortly after 6 p.m. while crews investigated and cleared the crash scene.
Investigation: Authorities examine skid marks, vehicle positions, and damage patterns to help establish the order of events. They will also review the trucking company’s maintenance and inspection records to determine whether faulty brakes or other mechanical issues contributed to the jackknife. Commercial carriers are required to keep vehicles in safe working order, and failures in this area can lead to liability.
Witness interviews and any available dashcam or surveillance footage will help clarify how the crash unfolded, including whether one or more drivers failed to yield or maintain proper following distance.
Legal Considerations: All drivers have a legal duty to maintain safe speeds and follow at a proper distance. Excessive speed is especially dangerous for large commercial vehicles, as their weight significantly increases the time to come to a stop.
If investigators conclude that negligence played a role, John Sharp may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Such a claim could seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income during recovery, and the pain and suffering caused by the crash.
My thoughts are with everyone affected by this crash.
Source: WEAU 13 News