A devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 43 in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, has left two people dead and two others seriously injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025, near County Highway H in the Town of Port Washington.
The Incident
At approximately 12:37 a.m., the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls reporting a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-43 near Jay Road in the Town of Belgium. Just seven minutes later, at 12:44 a.m., the wrong-way driver, a 34-year-old Milwaukee man operating a 2025 Lexus, collided head-on with a 2017 Ford Escape heading northbound.
Victims
The Ford Escape was occupied by three residents of Oostburg, Wisconsin. The driver, a 51-year-old woman, and the front-seat passenger, a 56-year-old man, were pronounced dead at the scene. A 22-year-old woman seated in the rear sustained serious injuries and was transported to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.
The wrong-way driver was extricated from his vehicle and initially taken to Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. He was later airlifted to Froedtert Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Emergency Response
Port Washington Fire Chief Joe DeBoer commended the swift and professional response of emergency personnel. He noted the challenging nature of the incident and praised the coordination among fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. “Their ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple critical patients at once was truly impressive,” DeBoer stated.
Investigation
The northbound lanes of I-43 were closed for approximately five hours as investigators processed the scene. The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office has not yet determined whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. The names of those involved have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Community Impact
The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, particularly in Oostburg, where the victims resided. Ellie Uselding, a witness who passed the scene on her way to work, expressed her sorrow: “On a Memorial Day weekend… Is it a family? Is it a granddaughter? We lost our son 18 and a half years ago from a terrible accident — My heart goes out to them.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash. They are seeking to determine how the wrong-way driver entered the northbound lanes and whether any preventive measures could be implemented to avoid similar incidents in the future.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving and the importance of vigilance on the road.