Driver cited after semi rollover in round-a-bout

U.S. Highway 2 at State Highway 13 was closed for several hours Saturday after a semi rollover.

The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was notified of the accident about 7:34 a.m.

Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Ashland Fire Department, Washburn Fire Department and Washburn Ambulance were requested to respond. Deputies arrived on scene and found there were no injuries or hazardous material spillage. The Fire and EMS services were advised to stand down. There were U.S. Customs Border Patrol agents in the area that provided assistance with traffic control.

The driver of the semi involved was 54-year-old John Stahley of St Paul, Minn. Stahley was westbound on U.S. Highway 2 and was passing through the intersection to proceed west. Stahley indicated that he was unfamiliar with the intersection being a round-a-bout, until he got to it. Stahley attempted to negotiate the semi and trailer through the curve and exit in the westbound U.S. Highway 2 lane at which time the trailer began to overturn as he exited the intersection.

Stahley was wearing his safety belt at time of the accident.

The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated the incident, and subsequently Stahley was cited for inattentive driving.

Bayfield and Ashland County Highway Departments detoured traffic from the intersection while efforts to remove the vehicle from roadway were conducted. Tomlinson’s Towing removed the semi and trailer. The intersection was reopened at 1:26 p.m.

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