 ACCIDENT SCENE–Thick black smoke is visible coming from the semi tanker involved in a fatal accident north of Amberg on Friday, July 18. A car operated by Zachary Jors collided with the northbound semi driven by Darrell L. Reed. Jors was pronounced dead at the scene by Marinette County Coroner George Smith. The accident remains under investigation. The Jors car is shown on the left with the burning semi on the right. The view is looking south. |
Amberg Car/Tanker Crash Kills One; Area Emergency Units Handle Hazardous Event Zachary M. Jors, 23, Kingsford, Mich., died in a fiery head-on crash with a semi-truck pulling a tanker about 12:15 p.m., July 18, on U.S. 141 south of Town Corner Lake Road in the Town of Amberg. It happened near the same spot where a friend, Cynthia Farris, 42, Niagara, died in pickup truck crash with a semi-truck on the previous Friday, July 11, about 12:22 p.m.
The Jors crash scene was a short distance from where he had erected a memorial on the side of the highway in honor of Farris. It was the sixth traffic fatality in Marinette County for the year.
The crash put various law enforcement agencies, emergency rescue squads and fire departments and the Marinette County Emergency Management teams into action.
According to the Marinette County Sheriff Department, the Jors crash happened about 12:15 p.m. The Jors car was northbound when it veered into the southbound lane crashing head-on into the semi operated by Darrell L. Reed, 40, Markhem, Ill.
Upon impact, the semi-tractor ignited when its fuel tank was ruptured. Reed was able to escape the flames and was treated and released at Dickinson Memorial Hospital, Iron Mountain, Mich. The semi, owned by Langer Transportation, was pulling a tanker that contained a label indicating it was transporting Methanol which initiated a HAZMAT team from the Marinette Fire Department. Because Methanol is a hazardous chemical, the Marinette County Emergency Management responded and the Emergency Alert System was put into action as residents in an area of one-half mile from the crash scene were advised by telephone to seek shelter.
Methanol is a highly flammable and poisonous liquid and its vapors are also dangerous. A temporary reception center was established at the Amberg Community Center for residents unable to reach their homes due to road blocks set up by authorities. The American Red Cross also responded to the center providing water and food for possible evacuates in the area and responders.
At 4 p.m. the order for residents to seek shelter was lifted when it was discovered the trailer was empty and had only a small amount of chemical lessening the risk to area residents and emergency crews responding to the scene.
Because of the crash, authorities blocked off the area of U.S. 141 and motorists had to use detours to by-pass the scene. It was a 20 mile detour from County Road K to Marek Road and then to County Trunk Z. Since it was the beginning of the weekend, authorities were kept busy keeping traffic away from the scene and establishing detours. Motorists traveling north on U.S. 141 were alerted as far as Crivitz to take different routes.
The crash scene on U.S. 141 was finally opened about 10 p.m. after authorities had completed their investigation there and the Amberg Fire Department had cleaned up the crash scene.
Initial response to the crash scene was made by the sheriff department, Amberg Fire Department, Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine Fire and Rescue Department and Wausaukee Rescue Squad.
The Amberg Fire Department was at the scene from 12:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. and headed all the 35 firemen from area departments which responded. The railroad crossing at the site was shut down for 3 1/2 hours as firefighters sprayed 17,500 gallons of water on the fire and 150 gallons on spilled diesel fuel.
The newly formed Amberg Fire Department Auxiliary under Patty Kemerling was also put into action working with all the fire departments, traffic control and provided water and ice. The ice and water were donated by the Driftwood Gas Station.
Dave Grube, Amberg Fire Chief, said, “The whole accident situation was handled with great professionalism by his department and all other fire and rescue squads.”
He expressed appreciation to the Pembine and Wausaukee Fire Departments for their dedicated help in protecting area residents.
Grube credited the Amberg firefighters for the training they have taken. “Their training and those of other fire departments sure paid off. Amberg is certainly blessed to have such professional volunteers helping us with no questions asked when the call for aid goes out, Grube said.
Grube also expressed appreciation to Amberg firefighter Scott Mathis who served as incident commander until Grube arrived about 3:30 p.m. from attending the funeral of his mother.
One firefighter had to be treated at the scene by Beacon Ambulance, Iron Mountain, Mich.
The National Weather Service was also involved giving latest updates on wind directions, wind speeds and weather.
Further assistance was provided by the Crivitz Rescue Squad, Marinette County Dispatch Center, Marinette County Highway Department, Sheriff Department Auxiliary, DNR, State Patrol, Beacon Ambulance Service, and Wisconsin Public Service.
Marinette County Coroner George Smith also responded to the scene and ordered an autopsy of Jors which was made Monday, July 21. It was ruled Jors died from injuries incurred in the crash which included head, multiple bone fractures and internal injuries.
Investigation continues as authorities are interviewing witnesses and others to determine what lead up to the accident.
In reviewing the crash, Grube said it was fortunate the tanker was empty or else it could have been a real disaster. He pointed out there is a lot of traffic on U.S. 141 including many chemical trucks and gas tankers which could lead to a disaster.
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Yes
No
Undecided
