Hwy. 33 intersection is site of another fatal crash

A 57-year-old Illinois man was killed Monday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle at the intersection of highways 33 and I and was thrown from his bike.

According to the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Stephen R. Peppa of Barrington, Ill., was traveling north on his 1997 Harley-Davidson at 2:01 a.m. on Highway I in the Town of Saukville and lost control attempting to navigate a curve just south of Highway 33, crossing over into the southboudnd lane and onto the west gravel shoulder, losing control at the intersection.

The motorcycle slid on its side, ejecting Peppa, who was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash caused portions of the intersection and both highways to be closed. The intersection was reopened at 6:52 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Saukville Police Department, Cedarburg Police Department, and Cedarburg Emergency Management assisted with the crash.

Authorities are waiting on results of an autopsy and toxicology tests.

It’s the third fatality at the intersection in 10 months and the fourth in the last five years, although it differs from the others in that it was a single-vehicle crash. 

Calls to improve safety at the intersection have mounted since Lorrie Shirley, 61, of Grafton, was killed on Sunday, July 20, when the eastbound motorcycle she was on was struck by a northbound 2010 Ford Fusion driven by Raymond Klumb of Mequon.

The motorcycle driver, Gregory Prellwitz, also of Grafton, and Klumb were seriously injured. 

The previous two fatal crashes occurred on Nov. 14, 2016, and Oct. 21, 2018, also involving motorcycles.

There were six other non-fatal crashes from July 2014 to July 2019 at the intersection, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Since the July 20 crash, additional signage has been installed.

State Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, issued a press release recently saying the state Department of Transportation has launched a study of the intersection and is seeking additional public input. 

A public meeting also is planned, Brooks said.

“In the coming weeks, DOT will commence a safety audit/study of this intersection,” Brooks wrote. “Upon completion, they will begin the process of identifying a viable long-term solution for enhancing public safety.”

The new signage is intended to alert motorists that there is an intersection ahead and includes the addition of orange flags mounted atop the signs.

In his press release, Brooks also shared the results of a survey conducted by his office on what his constituents think should be done to improve safety at the intersection.

Of the 194 respondents, 51% favored a roundabout; 41% favored flashing stop signs; 33% favored rumble strips; 32% wanted more clearly delineated turn lanes; 18% wanted a four-way stop; and 12% wanted the speed limit reduced. Respondents could make more than one choice.

Even before the most recent fatal crash, DOT officials had indicated they are looking at building a roundabout at that intersection.

Meanwhile, Klumb was cited in July for failing to yield the right of way from a stop sign resulting in death.

On Aug. 7, he entered a not guilty plea. A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7 before Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Steven Cain.