Local

Driver critically hurt after hay bale hits semi in Trempealeau County

Published

2 weeks ago

April 15, 2025

The driver of a semi had critical injuries after a hay bale blows off of a passing trailer and hits his vehicle early Tuesday afternoon near Eleva.

The Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office said that just after noon, a semi heading south on Highway 93 was passing an oncoming truck and trailer hauling large square hay bales.

As they met, a gust of wind blew a bale into the windshield of the semi.

The driver lost control of the semi and jackknifed it which blocked both lanes of traffic.

Right after the crash, a doctor came upon the scene and treated the driver until EMS could arrive.

Mayo 1 was called in to take the driver, who the sheriff’s office said had critical injuries, from the scene.

A dog that was with the driver wasn’t hurt. It went to the Trempealeau County Humane Association for boarding until the driver’s son could pick up the dog.

The person driving the truck and trailer wasn’t hurt but was cited for having an unsecured load.

The names of those involved weren’t released by the sheriff’s office.

Kevin Millard

Kevin Millard is News Director for WIZM News. A West Salem native, he's spent most of his life, except for a year each in Florida and Wausau, here in the La Crosse area. Broadcasting and the media has been a part of his life since he was filmed in his first commercial in 2nd Grade. Most of his career has been spent working behind the scenes in the newsroom at a local television station. He's been the host of WKTY Outdoors since October 2005.