Accident closes 41

ASHWAUBENON - About 8:30 Thursday morning, a semi-truck and a tanker truck hauling liquid nitrogen collided. It happened near the northbound Highway 41 ramp onto Highway 172.

Authorities say inattentive driving is likely the cause of the crash.

"The semi rear ended the trailer and once officers arrived on scene there was quite a bit of debris spread across both lanes," said Lt. Kevin Wickman of the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

The trailer with the tank full of liquid nitrogen tipped on its side, near the Hansen Road overpass above Highway 41.

It caused the northbound lanes of Highway 41 to close for more than five hours. The 2-mile stretch eventually reopened around 2 p.m.

Traffic was rerouted onto Ashland Avenue, then onto Highway 172 and eventually back onto Highway 41. Several on and off ramps closed, causing some headaches for area drivers.

"It's very much an inconvenience because I had to call my boss and then tell her I was going to be late," said Denee' Donohue of Green Bay. Donohue had stopped at an Ashwaubenon gas station to ask for directions.

"I'm not sure where I am going now that 41 is closed," Donohue added.

Haz-Mat crews were called in to help. There was no risk of an explosion but those who come in contact with liquid nitrogen are at risk of getting frostbite.

Brown County Sheriff's deputies said they secured the scene and eventually decided the safest solution was to release the liquid nitrogen into the air.

"They had to get special permits from the state and they were able to bleed it off, basically releasing it slowly into the air," said Lt. Wickman.

He said the nitrogen dissipated harmlessly.