SHULLSBURG - A Monona man was killed midday Monday, Nov. 25 near Shullsburg in a traffic accident that involved a large tow truck and a semi tractor-trailer loaded with anhydrous ammonia.
Alfred J. Rott, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lafayette County Chief Deputy Coroner Richard Ruf, according to Sheriff Scott Pedley.
A preliminary investigation shows Rott was driving a Landmark Services Cooperative semi eastbound on Wis. 11 when a tow truck northbound on Summit Road skidded on the slippery, snow-packed surface and slid into the intersection at Wis. 11, colliding with Rott's semi.
A 911 caller at 11:52 a.m. reported the crash immediately after the accident.
Wis. 11 closed at 11:55 a.m. Monday while crews investigated and cleaned up the accident. Wis. 11 did not reopen until 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The driver of the tow truck, Steven J. Humphrey, 54, rural Shullsburg, was taken by Shullsburg Ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County for treatment of his injuries.
Both vehicles were destroyed in the crash and came to rest in the northeast ditch line of Wis. 11. Hazardous Materials (HazMat) teams from Grant County and Jo Daviess County were requested on scene to help with containment of the anhydrous ammonia in the overturned semi.
"The removal of the vehicles from the scene has been significantly delayed due to safety concerns regarding the possible release of anhydrous ammonia from the overturned semi-trailer," Pedley said.
Anhydrous ammonia is typically used as a crop fertilizer. In concentrate, it is a toxic, highly explosive gas or pressurized liquid that becomes a poisonous vapor cloud when mixed with water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The Darlington and Shullsburg Fire Departments, Rural Medical Ambulance, Shullsburg police and inspectors with the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted deputies at the scene.
Alfred J. Rott, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lafayette County Chief Deputy Coroner Richard Ruf, according to Sheriff Scott Pedley.
A preliminary investigation shows Rott was driving a Landmark Services Cooperative semi eastbound on Wis. 11 when a tow truck northbound on Summit Road skidded on the slippery, snow-packed surface and slid into the intersection at Wis. 11, colliding with Rott's semi.
A 911 caller at 11:52 a.m. reported the crash immediately after the accident.
Wis. 11 closed at 11:55 a.m. Monday while crews investigated and cleaned up the accident. Wis. 11 did not reopen until 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The driver of the tow truck, Steven J. Humphrey, 54, rural Shullsburg, was taken by Shullsburg Ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County for treatment of his injuries.
Both vehicles were destroyed in the crash and came to rest in the northeast ditch line of Wis. 11. Hazardous Materials (HazMat) teams from Grant County and Jo Daviess County were requested on scene to help with containment of the anhydrous ammonia in the overturned semi.
"The removal of the vehicles from the scene has been significantly delayed due to safety concerns regarding the possible release of anhydrous ammonia from the overturned semi-trailer," Pedley said.
Anhydrous ammonia is typically used as a crop fertilizer. In concentrate, it is a toxic, highly explosive gas or pressurized liquid that becomes a poisonous vapor cloud when mixed with water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The Darlington and Shullsburg Fire Departments, Rural Medical Ambulance, Shullsburg police and inspectors with the Wisconsin State Patrol assisted deputies at the scene.