Three people were killed in an alleged drunken driving accident near Madison early Thursday.
According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the passengers were traveling in a 2002 Chrysler Sebring heading south on I-39/90 near Madison when they got a flat tire.
They were pulled over on the median shoulder of southbound I-39/90 in Burke, Wis., when another vehicle struck the car from behind.
Three of the five passengers were outside of the Chrysler while the other two remained inside. A 19-year-old male from Milwaukee and a 23-year-old male from Puerto Rico were killed while outside of the vehicle.
A 20-year-old female from Milwaukee was seated inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. She was transported to UW Hospital and later died from accident related injuries.
Bradley Erickson of Madison was arrested for operating under the influence following the crash, state patrol said. The 31-year-old allegedly suffered non-life threatening injuries.
""Alcohol is a contributing factor in this crash,"" Sergeant Eugene Wagner said in a statement.
According to University of Minnesota spokesman Daniel Wolter, two of the victims and another person who was injured in the crash were affiliated with the Golden Gopher Spirit Squad.
""Obviously, this is very saddening news to our university community,"" Wolter said in a statement. ""Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victims and the young people who are still recovering.""
The Wisconsin State Patrol is withholding the names of the victims pending notification of family members.
