TOWN OF CATO, Manitowoc County, Wis., Oct. 29, 2026 — One semi-truck driver died, and another was airlifted to a hospital after a head-on crash between two semi-trucks on Tuesday afternoon, October 27, in the Town of Cato. The crash happened near the intersection of U.S. Highway 151 and Lower Falls Rd.
Crews were sent to the scene just before 2 p.m. after a report of a two-truck collision, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol. A preliminary investigation found that a 2022 Mack semi, driven by a 44-year-old Illinois man heading east on US-151, reportedly crossed the centerline and struck a 2014 Freightliner semi traveling west.
The Freightliner's driver, a 55-year-old De Pere man, had to be extricated from the wreckage and was flown to a hospital for treatment. His condition has not been released. The driver of the Mack truck was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released pending notification of family.
The State Patrol said it is conducting a full crash reconstruction. Investigators have not released further details while the review continues.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
Intersection Safety in Wisconsin
The truck crash was reported at U.S. Highway 151 and Lower Falls Rd in Town of Cato. Readers following crash news in Manitowoc County can find more about intersections across the state on our guide to Wisconsin intersections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck's trailer during a collision, usually because the trailer sits higher than a car's crumple zones. These crashes can cause severe injuries even at moderate speeds.
What typically causes large-truck crashes?
Common factors include driver fatigue, distraction, speed mismatched to road conditions, mechanical failure, and a vehicle drifting or crossing the centerline, which investigators sometimes cite in head-on collisions like this one.
How can drivers share the road safely with semis?
Give trucks extra following distance, avoid lingering in blind spots, and pass only with plenty of room, since trucks take longer to stop and have limited visibility to their sides and rear.
Does driver fatigue play a role in truck crashes?
Yes. Long hours behind the wheel can slow reaction time and impair judgment, and fatigue is a factor regulators and investigators regularly examine in truck crash reviews.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Town of Cato, Wisconsin
If you're involved in or witness a crash like this, call 911 right away and stay clear of traffic lanes if it's safe to move. Even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider, since adrenaline can mask pain from impact. Take photos if you're able to safely, note what you saw, and get contact information for any other witnesses. Cooperate with responding troopers and ask how to obtain a copy of the official crash report once it's completed. Give yourself time to process what happened; a serious wreck involving a commercial truck can be disorienting even for witnesses who weren't directly involved.
