Semi flees after slamming into Amish buggy, injuring 5, in Wisconsin

November 1, 2012 at 8:22PM
Law enforcement officers investigated the scene near Chetek, Wis., where a semitrailer truck hit a buggy carrying five members of an Amish family.
Law enforcement officers investigated the scene near Chetek, Wis., where a semitrailer truck hit a buggy carrying five members of an Amish family. (Chris Havens/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A semitrailer truck slammed into an Amish family's buggy on a dark road in northwestern Wisconsin and fled the scene, leaving five injured people by the side of the road, authorities said Thursday.

The truck, owned by a Jennie-O facility in nearby Barron, and the driver were located about 12 hours later, according to the Barron County Sheriff's Office.

The 40-year-old driver, who lives not far from the crash scene south of Chetek, confessed to authorities that he hit the buggy shortly after 9:20 p.m. Wednesday and took off, the Sheriff's Office said.

The two adults and three children in the buggy were hospitalized in various conditions ranging from serious to minor. Authorities identified them as: Lorene Lambright, 30; Felty Lambright, 31; Marilyn Lambright, 7; Amanda Lambright, 10; and Luella Lambright, 8.

The crash left the buggy in hundreds of pieces along Hwy. SS, south of Chetek and about 100 miles northeast of St. Paul.

The driver remains jailed on suspicion of felony hit and run. He has yet to be charged.Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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