UPDATE: Commercial truck driver seriously injured in rollover crash near Sharon

By Brandi Makuski

SHARON — A commercial truck driver suffered serious injuries Saturday after being ejected during a rollover crash on County Hwy. Y in the Town of Sharon, spilling hundreds of gallons of asphalt sealcoat across the roadway and creating unique challenges for emergency responders.

The crash occurred at about 11:35 a.m. on June 20 north of Bentley Road, according to Portage County Sheriff Mike Lukas. Dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a single-vehicle crash with injuries.

Lukas said the vehicle involved was a commercial truck owned by an asphalt maintenance company that was hauling a liquid asphalt maintenance product. The truck left the roadway after the driver failed to negotiate a curve while traveling northbound on County Hwy. Y, lost control and rolled over.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by Portage County Ambulance to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

The spill created additional challenges for first responders because the driver was covered in the asphalt sealcoat.

First Responders in Rosholt said the victim was covered in oil, making it difficult to assess his injuries.

Rosholt Fire Chief Bruce Boenski said the oil product also coated rescue equipment used during the response.

“Any equipment or tools or equipment that we used obviously got covered in it,” Boenski said.

While initial reports suggested about 100 gallons had leaked from the truck, Boenski estimated the spill was closer to 600 gallons. The product is not considered hazardous and poses no threat to public safety, according to the sheriff’s office.

Firefighters from the Rosholt Fire Department quickly contained the spill, while the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Portage County Highway Department and Plover Fire Department’s hazardous materials team assisted with cleanup efforts.

County Hwy. Y remained closed between County Hwy. J and Bentley Road for several hours as crews worked to clean the roadway and remove the truck. Boenski said Rosholt firefighters remained on scene until approximately 4:30 p.m.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Rosholt Fire Department, Plover Fire Department Hazmat Team, Stevens Point Ambulance, Plover Ambulance, Sharon emergency medical responders, Portage County Emergency Management, the Portage County Highway Department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The crash remains under investigation.