Crash victims describe "wall of fog"

KAUKAUNA - Those involved in Friday morning's massive pileup on Highway 41 described running into a "wall of fog" near Highway 55 in the Kaukuana area.

Authorities say the pileup involved 38 vehicles. It happend around 8 a.m.

Police tell FOX 11 that 15 people have injuries. 14 of the patients are reported to be in fair or good condition, one is in serious condition.

"It was clear and then all of a sudden, a white wall. There was just nothing you could do, I just slammed on the breaks,” said Jackie Kadlec, of Appleton.

“You could just hear the tires screeching and the crunching of metal, and you would just get jarred, you’d stop and then you’d get jarred again,” said Kadlec, who walked away from the crash uninjured.

Those who were involved in the pileup say it was a frightening experience.

"It pretty much felt like you were out of control," said Todd Whitenack, of Appleton.

Whitenack also walked away from the crash uninjured. He said his car was spun around, so he could see the other vehicles piling up behind him.

"You’re just watching the cars hit and thinking is the next one going to hit really hard?” said Whitenack.

Whitenack said the fog was the worst he had ever seen.

"It was patchy, there would be clear spots and then just like a wall of fog. I couldn’t see anything, not even the cars in front of me,” said Whitenack.

Witnesses say the fog lifted almost entirely by 10 a.m.