Sara Marie Sobieralski Dies After Crashing Into Snowplow on I-94; Community Mourns Her Sudden Loss

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Warm smiles. A helping hand for neighbors. A life lived with kindness. That’s how friends and family remember 48-year-old Sara Marie Sobieralski — whose life ended unexpectedly Monday morning in a tragic crash on Interstate 94.

Sobieralski was driving a dark SUV westbound on I-94 near Springdale Road just after 9:30 a.m., when local authorities say her vehicle rear-ended a Waukesha County snowplow that was clearing snow off the shoulder with its warning lights on. The impact caused her SUV to spin out and come to rest in front of the plow.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene: cars stopped abruptly, drivers thrown into a scramble, and the plow operator — unhurt — rushing forward along with other motorists to help extract the injured driver.

Paramedics rushed Sobieralski to hospital, but she later died of her injuries.
As news of her death spread, shock and grief rippled through her family and the wider community. In a heartfelt message on a fundraising page started by her son, she is remembered as “an amazing mother … a loving wife … who filled our lives with love, kindness, and a light that brightened every room she entered.”

Neighbors, friends and those who once crossed her path described her as someone who never hesitated to reach out — offering support, encouragement, or just a friendly smile. Many say she helped foster connection and warmth in her circle, small gestures that often left lasting impressions.

Now, the void she leaves behind is heavy. Loved ones are grappling with loss, not just of a mother or a friend, but of someone whose presence brought hope, comfort, and genuine care — qualities that don’t fade easily.

Officials from the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Waukesha County Public Works Department say the investigation into the crash is ongoing. In the meantime, they’re urging drivers everywhere to give snowplows and road-crew vehicles plenty of distance — especially when lights are flashing and snow-clearing is underway.

For now, the community’s grief mixes with gratitude — gratitude for the kindness Sara offered, and for those who’ve stepped up to support her family during this painful time. Her life may have been cut short, but in the memories she leaves behind — of warmth, generosity, and love — she continues to matter.