Stanley, WI — February 2, 2025, Treyton Tessmer was killed in a truck accident at about 4 a.m. on State Highway 29/World War I Veterans Memorial Highway.

Authorities said a 2017 Jeep Compass crashed into the back of an eastbound Chippewa County Highway Department truck that was doing winter road maintenance near County Highway H.

Jeep driver Treyton Dougals Tessmer, 19, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. The plow truck driver, a 45-year-old man, was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Chippewa County crash at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a vehicle rear-ends a snowplow performing winter road maintenance, my first question is, “Did the Jeep driver have enough time and visibility to recognize the plow ahead?” Many people assume rear-end collisions are simply driver error, but in my experience, crashes like this often involve questions about road conditions, vehicle visibility and whether proper precautions were in place.

One of the first things investigators should determine is how visible the snowplow was at the time of the crash. Snowplows operate in low-visibility conditions, often in the dark or during active snowfall. Investigators should examine whether the plow’s warning lights, reflective markings and any required hazard signals were functioning properly. If the plow was throwing snow onto the windshield of trailing drivers, that could have contributed to reduced visibility.

Another key factor is road conditions. Was the highway covered in snow or ice at the time of the crash? If so, was the Jeep traveling at a speed safe for the conditions? Even at normal highway speeds, icy surfaces dramatically increase stopping distances, making it much harder for a driver to react in time to a slower-moving or stopped vehicle.

At this stage, too little is known to determine exactly what caused this crash, but that’s why a thorough investigation is necessary. Looking at road conditions, vehicle visibility and whether the plow truck was properly marked and operating safely will be key to helping the victim's family understand what happened here.