UPDATE: Names Released In Double-Fatal 7-Vehicle Crash On I-94

Editor's note: Updates appear in chronological order.

ST. CROIX COUNTY (DrydenWire) - A crash unfolded on Monday evening, causing devastation on I-94 Westbound at mile marker 28 in St. Croix County near Wilson, Wisconsin. The crash, involving multiple vehicles, led to two fatalities and six reported injuries.

According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, at 5:38p on Monday, October 23, 2023, a crash occurred on I-94 WB at I-94 Westbound at mile marker 28 in St. Croix County near Wilson.

The crash involved 2 fatalities and 6 injuries.

Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers and Inspectors, St. Croix County Deputies, and multiple fire and EMS units responded to the multi-vehicle crash.

There were 2 confirmed fatalities at the scene. The scene is currently active and under investigation.

The WSP says that they will be providing an additional update regarding this incident later today.

**UPDATE #1**

The Wisconsin State Patrol issued more information regarding the multi-vehicle crash that occurred on Monday night in St. Croix County.

The WSP says that on the evening of Monday, October 23, westbound traffic on I-94 at MP 25.5 had significantly slowed due to congestion caused by a construction zone lane closure at that location.

A 2013 Volvo semi unit traveling at highway speed failed to identify the slowed traffic ahead of it and struck a Ford F150 and a Freightliner semi unit.

This initial impact caused a chain reaction crash involving four additional vehicles.

Multiple vehicles burst into flames after the impact including the two semi-units listed above.

One of the semi-units burned under the State Highway 128 overpass which necessitated closure of State Highway 128 until the bridge could be assessed for structural integrity.

The operator of the striking semi and the Ford F150 were fatally injured in the crash.

All other vehicle occupants who suffered injuries were treated and released.

Names of those fatally injured are being withheld until family notifications can be made.

I-94 westbound was closed until the overpass could be inspected and repairs to the roadway were completed, but the interstate has reopened now. State Highway 128 at I-94 is opening at this time.

**UPDATE #2**

The Wisconsin State Patrol has now released the names of the parties involved in the crash.

Unit 1: Truck Tractor (Semi-Attached) (2013 Volvo Semi Truck)

Driver: Zdzislaw Obodzinski

• 76-Year-Old Male From Palatine, Illinois
• Injuries: Fatal
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 2: Pickup Truck (2019 Ford F-150)

Driver: James Michael Shearer

• 45-Year-Old Male From Hammond, WI
• Injuries: Fatal
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 3: Passenger Car (2019 Chevrolet Equinox)

Driver: Raul Placencia

• 34-Year-Old Male From Minneapolis, MN
• Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
• Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Passenger: Mayra Pesantis

• 38-Year-Old Female From Minneapolis, MN
• Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
• Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Passenger: Name will not be released due to being a juvenile

• 6-Year-Old Female From Minneapolis, MN
• Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
• Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Passenger: Name will not be released due to being a juvenile

• 16-Year-Old Male From Minneapolis, MN
• Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
• Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 4: Truck Tractor (Semi-Attached) (2020 Volvo Semi Tractor)

Driver: Charanjit Singh

• 35-Year-Old Male From Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Injuries: None
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 5: Truck Tractor (Semi-Attached) (2023 Freightliner Cascadia)

Driver: Scott Bye

• 49-Year-Old Male From Orangeville, Illinois
• Injuries: None
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 6: Pickup Truck (2012 GMC Sierra)

Driver: Nicole Jeffreys

• 36-Year-Old Female From Hagersville, Ontario
• Injuries: None
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Passenger: Name: Brian Wernham

• 37-Year-Old Male From Hagersville, Ontario
• Injuries: Non-Life Threatening
• Transported To: Western Wisconsin Health Baldwin
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Unit 7: Passenger Car (2019 BMW M850XI)

Driver: Jessie Aronson

• 28-Year-Old Male From Cottage Grove, MN
• Injuries: None
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No

Passenger: Name: Shantel Whitish

• 19-Year-Old Female From West St. Paul, MN
• Injuries: None
• Seatbelt Use: Yes
• Alcohol Use: No
• Enforcement Action: No