TOWN OF FENNIMORE — A former Platteville firefighter was killed in a crash on U.S. 18 east of Fennimore Thursday morning.

An SUV driven by Richard Line, 44, Dodgeville, and a tractor–trailer owned by John Wellach Farms LLC of Juneau and driven by Steve Nachtrab, 65, Van Dyne, collided on 18 around 8:20 a.m.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Line’s SUV was going east when it crossed the centerline into the westbound lane. Nachtrab swerved to the far right, but Line’s SUV hit the semi and trailer in the side, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Line was extricated by Fennimore firefighters and taken by Fennimore EMS to Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, where he was pronounced dead.

Nachtrab was not injured.

 Both vehicles suffered severe damage.

The Sheriff’s Office said distracted driving contributed to the crash.

U.S. 18 was closed for about 5½ hours Thursday.

The Wisconsin State Patrol accident reconstruction team and inspectors and the Grant County Highway Department assisted at the scene.

Line was a Dodgeville firefighter and former Platteville firefighter. He was previously a manager at McDonald’s and Taco Bell in Platteville.

The crash is under investigation. Line is the fourth fatality on Grant County roads this year.