Fatal Semi-Truck and Van Collision at Grand Chute Intersection of West Wisconsin Avenue and North McCarthy Road Claims Two Lives

A devastating collision between a semi-truck and a passenger van claimed two lives on Monday morning in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The crash occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of West Wisconsin Avenue and North McCarthy Road, prompting an immediate response from Grand Chute Police Department officers and firefighters. According to authorities, the semi-truck was traveling eastbound on West Wisconsin Avenue when it collided with the passenger van. Both the driver and passenger in the van sustained life-threatening injuries at the scene. Emergency responders transported the victims to a local hospital where medical professionals later pronounced them dead despite lifesaving efforts. The crash investigation necessitated the closure of eastbound West Wisconsin Avenue between North McCarthy Road and North Casaloma Drive, with officials expecting the closure to last several hours. Law enforcement indicated that additional details regarding the accident would be released after proper notification of the victims' families.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred at a significant intersection in Grand Chute, where West Wisconsin Avenue meets North McCarthy Road. This area represents a critical junction in the town's transportation network, connecting commercial districts with residential neighborhoods. West Wisconsin Avenue functions as a major east-west thoroughfare in Grand Chute, carrying substantial commuter and commercial traffic daily, including large vehicles like the semi-truck involved in this incident. The intersection is regulated by traffic signals and features multiple lanes in each direction, accommodating the area's busy traffic patterns. Situated approximately 3 miles west of downtown Appleton, this corridor serves as an important route for both local traffic and regional transportation. The intersection's proximity to Interstate 41 and nearby commercial developments contributes to consistently high traffic volumes, especially during daytime hours when this accident occurred.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin law, victims of fatal crashes and their families have specific legal rights regarding compensation and accountability. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence system (Wis. Stat. § 895.045), allowing recovery of damages when a party is less than 51% at fault. Families of the deceased may pursue wrongful death claims (Wis. Stat. § 895.04) seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. These claims must typically be filed within three years of the date of death according to Wisconsin's statute of limitations (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). Additionally, Wisconsin law requires all motorists to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Commercial vehicles like semi-trucks often carry substantially higher insurance limits and may be subject to additional federal regulations. An investigation will determine potential factors such as right-of-way violations, distracted driving, or commercial driver hours-of-service compliance.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Grand Chute Police Department: (920) 832-1575
• Grand Chute Fire Department: (920) 832-6050
• ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton: (920) 731-4101

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Northeast Region: (920) 492-5643
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Northeast Region: (920) 929-3700
• Wisconsin Highway Safety Improvement Program: wisconsindot.gov/safety

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Victim Resource Center: (800) 446-6564
• Fox Valley Grief Support Network: (920) 730-3760
• Wisconsin Department of Justice - Crime Victim Services: (800) 446-6564

Legal and Regulatory Information: