Current Stories

Group of motorcycles hit oil spill - injuries

On September 1, 2019, at 9:50 a.m. the Vernon County 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a motorcycle crash on County Road Y near Avalanche, WI in the town of Webster. 
   Christopher Clemens, age 42, of Viroqua, WI was eastbound with a group of motorcycles.  Jon Montgomery, age 39, of Viroqua was operating a motorcycle just ahead of Clemens. 
   The group of motorcycles entered  into a sharp corner a where a prior oil spill had occurred.  Montgomery's motorcycle lost control on the oil spill.  Clemens who was trying to avoid hitting Montgomery also hit the oil spill and lost control.  Both motorcycles went into the ditch and came to rest.  Both operators were wearing helmets and riding gear.
   Clemens sustained a possible head injury and was transported to Vernon Memorial Hospital.   The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff's Department.

Viroqua man injured in crash - found next morning

Viroqua Township, WI - A single vehicle accident on County Road SS near Cook Hill Road, in the Viroqua Township. In the early morning hours of August 25, 2019, a vehicle driven by Evin Engen age 23, of rural Viroqua was traveling west on County Road SS when he lost control of his vehicle. 
   He crossed the east bound lane, traveled over an embankment, striking a fence, traveling a short distance through a field, eventually striking a tree. The vehicle came to rest against a tree in a private driveway. The accident was not found until approximately 8:20 A.M.by a pedestrian. 
   Evin Engen was seriously injured as a result of the accident and was flown by Gundersen Air to Gundersen Health in LaCrosse, WI.   The accident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

Burglary in Viola - Soldiers Grove man arrested

On 08/07/2019 the Richland County Sheriff's Department took a report of a burglary that occurred some time during the overnight hours.  It was reported someone had entered the Shear Bliss Beauty Salon at 119 W Commercial St. in the village of Viola. 
   A joint investigation by the Sheriff's Department and the Viola Police Department showed entry was made to the building and cash along with other items were taken.  Evidence collected at the scene led investigators to speak with Zach Alexander, age 21 of Soldiers Grove.  Alexander was contacted and admitted to the burglary. 
   Alexander was arrested and is currently in the Richland County Jail on a felony burglary and theft charge .  The case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney's Office.

Tractor rolls-over pinning driver

Richland County, WI - On 8/7/19 at 3:33pm Richland Co Sheriff's Dispatch received a 911 call stating there was a tractor roll over on St Hwy 80 south near Joe Miller Lane.  Richland CO Sheriffs Deputies, Richland Center Police, Richland Fire & EMS all responded. 
   The tractor was located in the west ditch, upside down at a driveway culvert pipe.  Norman Putz, age 81 of RC, had been using the tractor to mow the ditch line using a 3 point mower.  As he attempted to mow around the culvert, the tractor overturned, landing upside down in the ditch with Mr Putz underneath it. 
   Putz was extricated from under the tractor by the Richland Center Fire Dept. with assistance of Wegner Towing.  Norman Putz was transported to the Richland Hospital with a possible injury.  A WI DNR Warden assisted Richland County Officials at the scene.

Throwing a beer can out the window was the only
thing this driver wasn't charged with

On July 10, 2019 at approximately 8:00pm the Crawford County Communications Center received information from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office about a traffic complaint they received about a 1995 Ford Thunderbird traveling southbound on State Highway 35 in the Desoto area. The caller stated the vehicle was driving all over the road and that a beer can was thrown out the window. A deputy of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office began responding to the area.
   At approximately 8:15pm the Crawford County Communications Center received a report that the aforementioned vehicle had crashed on State Highway 35, just south of Carter Way Road, in the Township of Seneca. The responding deputy located a male subject, later identified as Ronald L. White Jr., 44, of La Crosse, WI walking approximately one-quarter of a mile south of the crash scene. The deputy made contact with White and asked if he was involved in a crash. White denied being involved in a traffic crash. However, the deputy observed White bleeding from his arm and detained him for the investigation.
   The crash investigation determined the Ford Thunderbird was traveling southbound on State Highway 35 when it drove into the shoulder of the southbound lane then over-corrected, causing the vehicle to make an abrupt left turn into the northbound lane of traffic and then into a concrete barrier along the northbound lane. Following the impact with the concrete barrier, the vehicle struck the guardrail along the southbound lane before coming to rest facing north.
   On scene, the deputy made contact with Danny R. Hall, 52, of La Crosse, WI. Hall stated he was a passenger in the vehicle and that White was the driver. Two witnesses on scene also stated White was the driver. White admitted to drug use and drinking alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. A marijuana smoking device and a small amount of marijuana was found on his person. White was transported to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI for further medical evaluation where he was charged with 3rd offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a restricted controlled substance. White remained in the medical care of Gundersen Lutheran throughout the night. The following morning, at 8:42am, White was discharged from the hospital then taken into custody and transported to the Crawford County Jail for booking procedures.
   White was charged with 3rd offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a restricted controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also issued citations for no insurance, reckless driving, operating left of center and obstructing an officer.
   Assisting on scene was Tri-State EMS, Seneca First Responders, Seneca Fire Department and Milo’s Towing.

Male Falls Off Moving Vehicle

On June 29, 2019, at approximately 3:18 pm, Grant County Sheriff's Office responded to N Grand St near the intersection of W Sampson St., in Livingston for an injured male who had fallen from a moving vehicle.
   Isaac X Albaugh, age 17, of Linden, was operating a 1998 Jeep Wrangler northbound on N Grand St near W Sampson St when he lost control of the vehicle in the gravel. There were six total passengers in the vehicle, including Albaugh, a 15 year old female from Montfort, a 17 year old male from Livingston, a 16 year old female from Livingston, a 16 year old female from Platteville, and Dalton O Seyfferth, age 17, of Dodgeville.
   Seyfferth was not seated in the vehicle, but standing on the rear bumper of the vehicle and holding onto the roll bars, as the vehicle was in motion. Albaugh lost control of the vehicle and Seyfferth was unable to maintain grip and balance and fell off the rear of the vehicle, landing on the roadway.
   Seyfferth lost consciousness and suffered major injuries. The victim was transported to Upland Hills Health, Dodgeville, and air lifted to UW-Madison from there.  Assisting Grant County Sheriff's Office on scene was Livingston First Responders and Montfort EMS. This crash remains under investigation.

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