Man struck, injured while walking on I-43

A 54-year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a semi-trailer truck while walking on I-43 near Highway 60 Monday night.

First responders were called to the incident in the Town of Grafton at 6:25 p.m. for a report of a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

According to a report from the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, a 2016 black Jeep with an Illinois registration was pulled onto the shoulder of the southbound lanes of I-43. A southbound semi-trailer truck hit the driver of the Jeep as he was walking in a traffic lane. 

The pedestrian was identified as William Divane, who is the registered owner and driver of the Jeep, said Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Lt. DeMaine Milbach.

“Mr. Divane gave a brief statement prior to transport. He didn’t remember why he decided to cross the freeway,” Milbach said, adding Divane’s vehicle appeared to be operational.

Divane was taken by the Grafton Fire Department to the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. He was then transported by a Flight for Life Helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with life-threatening injuries.

The truck driver was identified as Shaun Bodle, a 32-year-old man from Missouri. He sustained no injuries, Milbach said. 

Southbound lanes on I-43 were closed for approximately two hours.

Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident scene with assistance from Wisconsin State Patrol and the Grafton Police Department.

The incident remains under investigation.