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Medical Examiner identifies 3 people killed in Jefferson Co. car crash

Posted at 7:50 PM, Aug 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-20 21:41:55-04

JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the three people killed in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 94 Wednesday morning, according to reports.

Harold Ostrander, 38, was driving a vehicle pulling a cargo trailer when the vehicle lost control and crashed into a guardrail near the 262 mile marker around 3:56 a.m. A second vehicle driven by Thomas Meier, 65, then crashed into the first vehicle pulling the trailer. A third vehicle driven by Jason Smeltzer, 41, passed by but then backtracked to give aid, according to reports from Madison TV stations WMTVand WKOW.

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The sheriff's office says a fourth vehicle arrived and crashed into the people involved in the incident. The drivers of the first three vehicles - Ostrander, Meier and Smeltzer - were struck and killed by the fourth vehicle. The passenger in the first vehicle survived, as well as the driver of the fourth vehicle involved.

Officials say they are not pursuing criminal charges against the driver of the fourth vehicle at this time, calling it a "tragic accident."

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