HEAVY FOG CAUSES MASSIVE PILE-UP NEAR MADISON
Monday, January 7th, 2008 -- 12:03 PM
Heavy fog has made for some treacherous driving conditions around the state the past couple days.Sunday, the Wisconsin State Patrol says more than 100 vehicles were involved in the series of pileups that left two people dead on a foggy stretch of I-90 just east of Madison.
The Wisconsin State Patrol shut down Interstate 90 in both directions, causing a traffic backup for miles.
Lieutenant Laurie Steeber says there were two major crashes involving 25 and 26 vehicles, and a series of other ones.
She says some 50 people were taken to area hospitals, including three with life-threatening injuries.
The preliminary investigation shows that some motorists were traveling at least 70 mph - above the 65 mph speed limit. Steeber says with the foggy conditions, people should have slowed down.
A hotel near the scene of the massive pileup became a shelter for those involved.
More than 150 people were taken by city bus to the Wingate Inn near Madison.
The Red Cross provided snacks and counseling. Officials also set up an aid station in the hotel lobby for people who were injured.
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