OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) – More information is being released about a crash with a city snow loader that resulted in an Oconto man being hit and killed.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. as 70-year-old Ernest Boucher of Oconto was hit from behind while walking on Pecor Street.
The driver of the snow loader has been with the department for nine years.
“I believe this is the first time this has happened, with a Public Works employee, in the city,” says Sara Perrizo, Oconto City Administrator.
The driver was wrapping up an eight-hour shift and returning to the city garage when the crash occurred.
“He had an alcohol test, and came back negative, it is standard procedure in a death involving a city vehicle,” she says.
The worker is currently on paid administrative leave until further notice and his name has not been released at this time.
Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the investigation since an Oconto City employee is involved in the crash.
“Currently our reconstruction unit is interviewing the driver that was involved with this crash, and they have, I believe reached out to the family as well, and anybody else who had witnessed the crash,” explains Sgt. Erica Ballweg-Larsen with Wisconsin State Patrol. “To try to get more evidence on what had happened, so we can piece together what all happened and then get better answers for everybody.”
More information is expected to be released by the State Patrol in the coming days.
