One injured in semitrailer crash near Maple

One person suffered a minor injury when a semitrailer overturned in a crash with another vehicle, leaving U.S. Highway 2 blocked or partially blocked for nearly five hours near Maple on Monday, March 30.

The driver of the car had a suspected minor injury, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol. He was initially seen by ambulance paramedics but refused further treatment and was not transported, according to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Department report.

The car was traveling westbound on Highway 2 when it crossed the center line. The eastbound semi trailer moved to avoid contact, but the vehicles collided. The semi rolled to its side and spilled its load of ground railroad ties onto the highway, blocking both lanes.

The driver of the car, Tim Sudduth, 60, of Duluth, was cited for inattentive driving and operating left of center. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol report, fatigue appeared to be a factor in the crash.

The incident was reported around 3:15 p.m. at Bayfield Road, near the Maple Community Center. All lanes of traffic were blocked while crews worked to clean up the scene. Passenger vehicles were being rerouted through a gravel road detour, but oncoming tractor-trailers were being forced to wait along the side of Highway 2.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported that just before 8 p.m. all lanes were open.

1/4: A Douglas County Highway Department worker looks over the accident scene on U.S. Highway 2 near Maple on Monday, March 30. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

2/4: A vehicle waits to be loaded onto a wrecker after colliding with a semitrailer U.S. Highway 2 near Maple on Monday, March 30. The semitrailer overturned, dumping a load of wood chips and blocking all lanes of traffic. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

3/4: Workers pick up debris at the accident scene on U.S. Highway 2 near Maple Monday afternoon, March 30. A semi truck overturned, dumping a load of wood chips and blocking all lanes of traffic. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

4/4: Workers walk through wood chips after a semi truck collided with a vehicle and dumped its load across U.S. Highway 2 near Maple Monday afternoon, March 30. The accident blocked all lanes of traffic. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)