Semi vs. pickup truck crash in southern Buffalo County claims life of Pepin man

A 71-year-old Pepin man was killed in an accident near Nelson on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 2, when his pickup truck struck a semi on State Highway 35.

William Newcomb was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff’s office received a 911 call reporting the crash just before 4 p.m. that afternoon.

A preliminary investigation conducted by authorities indicates that a 2004 Freightliner semi, driven by Robert Dose, 63, of Lake City, Minn., was southbound on Hwy. 35 about three-quarters of a mile north of Hwy. 25 when a northbound 2013 Ford F-150 driven by Newcomb crossed the centerline. The pickup then struck the tractor portion of the semi truck, spreading debris over a wide swath of the roadway. The semi came to a rest in the roadside ditch, having sustained heavy damage.

Hwy. 35 between Pepin and Nelson was closed to traffic for several hours due to the crash.

Dose received non-life threatening injuries in the crash.

Also assisting at the scene of the accident were the Wisconsin State Patrol, Alma Ambulance, Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, Nelson Fire Department and the Buffalo County Coroner’s Office.

The accident remains under investigation by the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department.