
On March 21st at approximately 11:27am, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a semi versus pickup truck crash at the intersection of Highway 35/61 and County Highway B in Potosi Township. After investigation, it was found that Gerald Harper, age 84 of Potosi, was operating his 2015 Chevy Silverado westbound on County B. Harper stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of County B and Highway 35/61; Harper intended to turn left and head south on Highway 35/61. Michael Lineberry, age 44 of Westby, WI, was operating a 1999 Peterbuilt semi truck hauling an empty flat-bed trailer northbound on Highway 35/61. Harper did not see the approaching semi and proceeded into the intersection directly into the path of the semi. Lineberry braked and swerved left, but could not avoid a collision with Harper’s pickup truck. The front passenger side corner of the semi collided with the front driver’s side corner of the pickup truck. The semi then left the roadway on the west side of Highway 35/61, entered the ditch, and partially overturned before coming to a rest. The pickup truck came to a rest just off the roadway on the east side of the intersection. Lineberry and Harper were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Lineberry was evaluated at the scene by Potosi EMS and refused transport. Harper was transported via ambulance to Grant Regional Health Center. Both the semi and pickup truck sustained heavy damage and had to be towed from the scene. Highway 35/61 was partially shut down for approximately 4 hours for the crash investigation and removal of the semi truck and trailer. Harper was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way from a Stop Sign. The Grant County Highway Department, Potosi Fire and EMS, Bennett’s Towing/Automotive Service, and La Farge Truck Center assisted at the scene.