Highway workers escape injury in work zone crash

Posted at 12:05 p.m. on July 12, 2019

The Brillion News

TOWN OF NEWTON – A two-vehicle crash in a work zone on I-43 on Thursday, July 11, was due to distracted driving – according to Manitowoc County Sheriff Dan Hartwig.

It happened just after noon south of County CL when a southbound Chevy Cruze driven by Raymond Panick, 54, of Iron Mountain (Mich.), failed to obey a sign directing traffic from the driving lane and into the passing lane.

His vehicle struck into a trailer carrying a digital speed board. Panick and his passenger, 49-year old Lori Price of Iron Mountain, were transported to a hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.

Luckily, highway maintenance personnel, working in the zone, were not hit.

Panick is being cited for inattentive driving, operating without a license and operation without insurance coverage.

Assisting the sheriff’s department at the scene were Manitowoc Fire and Rescue, Manitowoc Police, Manitowoc County Highway Department, Custer Street Towing and Hi-Way 42 Garage.

The sheriff’s department is warning driver to slow down and move over when approaching and traveling through a work zone.