Gratiot, WI (March 29, 2026) – A crash involving a semi-tractor trailer and a pickup truck sent two men to the hospital in the Town of Gratiot, Lafayette County. The collision occurred around 2:43 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at the intersection of County Highway KK, County Highway DD, and South Prairie Road.
Authorities reported that a 19-year-old man from Orangeville, Illinois, was driving eastbound on South Prairie Road and failed to stop at a stop sign. His 2004 Chevrolet Silverado entered the path of a northbound 2007 Kenworth semi driven by a 48-year-old man from Brodhead. The semi struck the pickup, causing it to roll over before both vehicles came to rest in a ditch at the northeast corner of the intersection.
The pickup driver was airlifted to UW Hospital in Madison via UW MedFlight, while the semi driver was transported to SSM Health Monroe Hospital. Multiple agencies, including the Gratiot Fire Department, Green County EMS, the Warren, Illinois Police and Fire Departments, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Lafayette County Highway Department, assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with both men as they recover from their injuries.
Why Semi-Truck and Pickup Collisions Can Be Severe
Collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles are often serious due to the size and weight differences between the vehicles. Pickup trucks are particularly vulnerable to rollovers when struck by a semi, which can result in significant injuries.
Investigators examine vehicle positions, driver actions, and roadway conditions to understand how the crash occurred. Prompt emergency response, including extrication and air transport, is critical for reducing injury severity and saving lives.
