A very smoky grass fire northwest of Wenona is blamed for a traffic pileup on Interstate 39 Saturday afternoon. State Police say cars, vans, SUV’s, and a tractor trailer truck were in the crash. Their drivers slowed down when they couldn’t see, but they crashed one after another until ten vehicles were involved.
Six drivers and two passengers were sent to area hospitals, including 32-year old Jackie M. Rhodes of Ottawa. State Police describe her injuries as serious and say she was flown from the crash scene. Other people hurt are from other areas.
Both directions of I-39 in that area were closed for about six hours for cleanup.