Mineral Point Man Dies After Peterbilt Milk Truck Leaves Highway 81 in Lafayette County
Jaykub E. Anderson, 32, of Mineral Point, died Thursday when his milk truck left Highway 81 near Argyle and plunged into quarry; Lafayette County inve
Mineral Point is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Jaykub E. Anderson, 32, whose life ended in a devastating crash Thursday morning in Argyle, Wisconsin. A deeply hardworking resident known for his steady work ethic, Jaykub was behind the wheel of a milk truck when the vehicle left the roadway and fell into an abandoned quarry, a tragedy that has left family, friends, and coworkers searching for answers.
According to the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. along the 5000 block of State Highway 81. Jaykub was driving westbound in a 2012 Peterbilt quad-axle milk truck when, for reasons still under investigation, the truck drifted off the north side of the highway. It traveled through a ditch before continuing toward the edge of the quarry.
The truck ultimately went over the edge and dropped to the quarry floor below. The impact was violent, causing the vehicle to overturn and the milk tank, reported to be at least partially loaded, to separate from the frame. The truck sustained extensive damage, underscoring the force of the fall and the remote, unforgiving terrain where it came to rest.
Emergency calls brought a coordinated response just before noon, with Lafayette County deputies, Argyle Fire Department, and Argyle EMS arriving first. They were joined by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, and Lafayette County Highway Department, all working together at a difficult scene. Despite their efforts, Jaykub was pronounced deceased at the scene by the coroner's office.
Officials confirmed Jaykub was the only person in the truck. Because of the location and severity of the wreck, recovery operations were complex and time-consuming. Crews worked carefully to document the scene and remove the heavily damaged vehicle from the quarry. State Highway 81 was reduced to a single lane for several hours, creating delays as investigators completed their work.
The cause of the crash remains under active investigation. Authorities have not released additional details about what may have led the truck to leave the roadway, and they continue to examine mechanical factors, road conditions, and other potential contributors. The process is methodical, reflecting the seriousness of a fatal commercial vehicle crash in a challenging environment.
Beyond the investigation, the loss is deeply personal. Jaykub is remembered by those who knew him as a dependable worker who took pride in doing a very difficult job well. Milk hauling demands early hours, long routes, and constant attention, work often done out of public view but essential to Wisconsin's dairy industry. His sudden death has turned a routine workday into heartbreak for loved ones.
As Mineral Point and the wider Lafayette County community grieve, support has poured in for Jaykub's family. Friends describe a man whose life ended far too soon, leaving behind grief and unanswered questions. He will be remembered for his work ethic and the quiet dedication he brought to his role. May he rest in peace, and may those who loved him find strength in the days ahead.