June 21, 2012
A sinkhole in the middle of a Neillsville, Wisconsin, highway is responsible for causing two Neillsville auto accidents that killed three people yesterday evening. A story published by the Post Crescent stated that a passerby discovered the wreckage of the two vehicles at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning along a County Road on the outskirts of town.
The National Weather Service stated that at the time surrounding when the accident had occurred, the area had received more than four inches of rain, much more than the soil was capable of retaining. The weakened soil gave way and destroyed a 50-foot long section of highway by creating a ravine approximately 15-feet deep.
Police believe that the driver of a pickup truck carrying one passenger was unable to see the washed out section of road due to low visibility from it being dark and possible raining and crashed into the ravine. A second vehicle with only one occupant also crashed into the hole.
By the time rescue crews arrived to offer help, it was too late and all three had passed.
Investigators say that they will continue to examine what other contributing factors may have played a part in the accident.
At Sigman Janssen Injury & Disability Lawyers, an auto accident lawyer in Appleton believes that a vital part of safe driving is knowing where you are going and what the road conditions will be like. Checking with your local weather network before traveling is the best way to ensure roads will allow safe passage.
