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Driver dies in semi crash
fatal semi crash
Michael R. Schoenbeck, 38, Grant Park, Ill., died in this tractortrailer crash on U.S. in the Town of Mount Ida Wednesday morning. The Grant County Sheriffs Department was assisted by Fennimore Fire and EMS, the Grant County Highway Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. - photo by Grant County Sheriffs Department

A 38-year-old Grant Park, Ill., man died when the tractor–trailer he was driving hit a tree on U.S. 18 in the Town of Mount Ida April 3.

Michael R. Schoenbeck died at the scene of the crash, on 18 at Grant County K, around 10:40 a.m., according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department.

Schoenbeck was driving east on 18 when he failed to negotiate a curve and his semi left the road, hitting a mailbox and tree owned by Theresea and Jamie Braudt of Mount Ida. The rail wheels Schoenbeck was hauling came loose from the trailer and hit the cab, further crushing it, before the wheels ended up in the Braudts’ yard.

The tractor–trailer was owned by Ray Dettmering Farms of Peotone, Ill.

U.S. 18 had one lane closed for nearly six hours during the crash investigation and cleanup.

Schoenbeck was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, according to the sheriff’s department.