Wrong-Way Collision on Green Bay's Mason Street Bridge Results in OWI Citation

On Monday night, November 25, 2024, at approximately 9:30 PM, a head-on collision occurred on the Mason Street Bridge in Green Bay, Wisconsin, when a 24-year-old Green Bay resident drove in the wrong direction and collided with another vehicle. The incident, which fortunately resulted in no serious injuries to either party, prompted an immediate response from Green Bay Police Department. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene, and law enforcement conducted field sobriety tests on the wrong-way driver. Following their investigation, officers issued an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) citation to the 24-year-old male driver. The impact of the incident on local traffic was significant but temporary, with partial bridge closure lasting approximately 45 minutes while emergency crews cleared the scene and conducted their initial investigation.

The Heightened Danger of Wrong-Way Crashes

Wrong-way collisions are particularly devastating due to the physics of head-on impacts and the limited reaction time available to drivers. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, their combined speeds create an impact force far greater than typical rear-end or side-impact crashes. For example, two vehicles each traveling at 45 mph create a combined collision speed of 90 mph, dramatically increasing the energy released during impact. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that wrong-way crashes are 20-27 times more likely to be fatal than other types of vehicular accidents. These crashes are especially dangerous during nighttime hours when reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to identify and evade an oncoming vehicle. Additionally, wrong-way drivers are frequently impaired by alcohol or drugs, further compromising their ability to recognize their error or react to warnings, which explains why about 60% of wrong-way driving incidents involve an impaired driver, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Location and Infrastructure

The Mason Street Bridge, officially known as the Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge, is a critical east-west arterial connection across the Fox River in downtown Green Bay. This double-leaf bascule bridge, which carries WIS 54/WIS 57 traffic, experiences heavy daily usage with an average of 15,000 vehicles crossing per day. The bridge features two lanes in each direction with dedicated turn lanes at its approaches. Its strategic location near downtown Green Bay and the port area makes it particularly busy during peak hours and evening entertainment events. The bridge's unique mechanical nature and frequent openings for water traffic create specific traffic patterns that require heightened driver attention, especially during nighttime hours when visibility can be compromised.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Wisconsin state law, accidents involving impaired driving fall under severe scrutiny, with potential criminal and civil implications. The state's Operating While Intoxicated laws carry significant penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time, especially if injury to others occurs. Victims of accidents involving impaired drivers have the right to pursue compensation through both insurance claims and civil litigation within Wisconsin's three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Damages may include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. While insurance typically provides immediate coverage for property damage and medical expenses, victims may be entitled to additional compensation through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. An experienced Green Bay drunk driving crash attorney will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

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• Green Bay Police Department: (920) 448-3200
• Green Bay Metro Fire Department: (920) 448-3280
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center Emergency Department: (920) 288-4040

Traffic Safety Resources:

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• Wisconsin DOT - Northeast Region: (920) 492-5643
• Green Bay Traffic Engineering Division: (920) 448-3100
• WisDOT Road Conditions: 511wi.gov

Support Services:

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• MADD Wisconsin Victim Services: (877) 623-3435
• Brown County Victim/Witness Assistance: (920) 448-4190
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Northeast Region: (920) 929-3700

Legal Resources:

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• Wisconsin DOT OWI Laws: wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/drunk-drv/default.aspx
• Wisconsin Courts Self-Help Center: wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp.htm