Jefferson, Wisc. — The driver of a Helena Chemical Co. semitrailer truck was killed in a rollover crash that closed westbound Interstate 94 in Waukesha County for nearly two-and-a-half hours on Friday, May 25, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol. The mishap happened near mid-day when the 1999 International utility truck, pulling a large plastic tank filled with liquid fertilizer, blew the left front tire. The investigating trooper’s report stated that the blowout caused the driver to lose control of the unit, crossing over the left lane through the median and coming to rest on its roof in the westbound lanes. The tank was carrying 3,500 gallons of what was identified as a weed and feed fertilizer, but this could not be confirmed. The driver was identified as Gordo Oelke, 68, of Fond Du Lac, Wisc. The rollover caused a major westbound traffic tie-up as motorists were required to exit the freeway and travel on state highways before re-entering the interstate. The local press reported that downtown Jefferson had considerable traffic congestion because of the interstate closure.
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