WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- It has been one year since the massive pile-up on Interstate 41 in the Neenah area.
Authorities say 119 vehicles and 232 people were involved in the crash. 71 people were taken to area hospitals, and 144 injuries were reported. 30-year-old Andrew Schefelker died. He was a science teacher at Iola-Scandinavia Middle and High Schools.
"Thinking about it a year later, it really just is still overwhelming how big it was and the scale that the event took," said Captain Lara Vendola-Messer of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities also said nearly 20 tow trucks were at the scene. 110 vehicles and two semi trucks had to be removed.
"As far as you could see, you could see cars just mangled," said Chad Pugh, the owner of Expert Towing and Recovery who was on the scene helping clear cars from the highway.
Pugh said the weather was changing so quickly, with the wind and snow, to white-out conditions. He said they were just trying to help get to people in the vehicles and make sure everyone was safe.
