CASHTON, Wis. – The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office released the name of a pedestrian that was struck and killed by a semi near Cashton just before 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, and pronounced dead at a La Crosse hospital on Monday, April 21. Sheriff’s officials said their initial investigation shows 21-year-old Robert James Giesler was walking south on the northbound shoulder of State Highway 27 and suddenly entered the traveled portion of the highway, and collided with a northbound tractor/trailer combination or “semi-truck”. This resulted in very serious injuries and Giesler was flown from the scene to Gundersen Health System, in La Crosse, Wis. by GundersenAIR.
A motor carrier inspector from the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to initiate a post-crash inspection of the commercial vehicle at the time of accident, and the commercial vehicle was equipped with a functioning dash camera.
Sheriff Torgerson said in his written statement said “My heart goes out to everyone involved in this traumatic event.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.
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Name release of semi driver involoved in accident that resulted in Pedestrian fatality
April 21, 2025
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson has released the name of the semi driver involved in an accident that resulted in a pedestrian being struck and seriously injured near Cashton over the weekend. The operator of the tractor/trailer combination (Semi Truck) was Vanessa Raye Mercer, 64, of Tomah, Wis. Mercer was not injured. The pedestrian’s name will be released at a later time.
Sheriff Torgerson stated that the investigation continues.
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Pedestrian medflighted after being struck by semi along State Hwy 27 near Cashton
April 20, 2025
CASHTON, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was medflighted to a La Crosse hospital after being struck by a semi near Cashton on Saturday night. According to Sheriff Torgerson the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified on Saturday night at approximately 9:45 p.m. that a pedestrian was struck by a commercial motor vehicle on State Highway 27, approximately 1.5 miles south of Cashton.
The preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male was walking south on the northbound shoulder, suddenly entered the traveled portion of the highway, and collided with a northbound tractor/trailer combination or “semi-truck”. This resulted in very serious injuries and the man was flown from the scene to Gundersen Health System, in La Crosse, WI, by GundersenAIR.
Responding to the scene with the Sheriff’s Office were the Westby Police Department, Westby-Christiana Fire Department, Westby Emergency Medical Services, and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance.
State Highway 27 was closed between County Road PC at Newry, and State Highway 33 at Cashton until midnight.
Sheriff Torgerson expressed his gratitude for those responded including the Cashton Fire Department for assisting Westby-Christiana Fire with traffic control and establishing a temporary detour route.
A motor carrier inspector from the Wisconsin State Patrol also responded to initiate a post-crash inspection of the commercial vehicle.
The commercial vehicle was equipped with a functioning dash camera.
Sheriff Torgerson said in his written statement “My heart goes out to everyone involved in this traumatic event.”
The investigation continues and the names of those involved will be released later.
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