Wrong-Way Driver Killed On I-43 Identified

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI — The driver of a wrong-way vehicle on I-43 who was killed after a collision with a semi truck early Tuesday morning, has been identified.

The driver of the wrong-way vehicle who died in the fatal crash on November 1, has been positively identified today as Antonio M. Holmes, age 39, of Milwaukee. Positive identification was made through dental records, according to Milwaukee County Sheriff's officials.

The Crash

On Tuesday Nov. 1, Milwaukee County dispatch broadcast a call of a wrong-way driver heading south in the northbound lanes on I-43 in the Marquette Interchange.

According to sheriff's reports, about two minutes later, authorities were called to respond to a jack-knifed semi-truck which was on fire on the High Rise Bridge.

Sheriff's officials said the semi and the wrong-way vehicle were fully engulfed in flames. An off-duty Milwaukee police officer attempted to remove Holmes from the car but was driven back by the flames. The Milwaukee Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. Holmes was unconscious as the officer tried to remove him from the vehicle.

According to Sheriff's reports, the driver of the semi was able to escape the cab of his truck as it became engulfed in flames. He said he was traveling north when he saw a vehicle without headlights on coming directly at his semi. A car in the lane next to him prevented him from being able to swerve out of the way. The semi-truck driver was transported to the hospital with pain to his ankles and knees from the crash.

Lengthy Delays

According to the State Department of Transportation, northbound traffic was diverted off the freeway at National Ave. as deputies worked to remove the vehicles stuck behind the crash scene. Several southbound lanes were also closed due to the fire.

According to sheriff's reports, the Medical Examiner’s Office investigator responded and pronounced Holmes deceased at 6:55 a.m. and the Milwaukee Fire Department removed him from the vehicle.

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