September 12, 2021 – Dodge County, WI – On Friday, September 10, 2021, at approximately 7:10 a.m., the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle versus horse and buggy crash on STH 16/60 west of the intersection with CTH J in the Township of Lowell, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Initial investigation showed that a horse and buggy was traveling east on STH 16/60 approaching the intersection with CTHY J.
Eric Schmoldt (34 years old, Sun Prairie, WI) was operating a Subaru SUV east on STH 16/60 and was approaching the rear of the horse and buggy. The front of the Subaru struck the buggy causing the lone occupant of the buggy to be ejected.
The operator of the horse and buggy was flown by LifeNet helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, but later died from his injuries. Eric Schmoldt (sole occupant) suffered minor injuries and was transported to Marshfield Medical Center in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The horse was injured and is being cared for.
The crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and Dodge County Medical Examiner.
Assisting at the scene were: Beaver Dam Paramedics, Reeseville Fire Department, Lowell Fire Department, Clyman Fire Department, Reeseville First Responders, LifeNet helicopter, and the Dodge County Emergency Response Team.
STH 16/60 was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was being investigated.
In April 2020, the State of Wisconsin amended its Constitution to include the provisions known collectively as “Marsy’s Law.” The amendment strengthens the rights of victims, including their rights to dignity and respect for privacy. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office respects these rights and will not release the identities of victims of crimes, including those that are traffic crash related, unless we have received consent to do so or are otherwise compelled to by the Wisconsin Constitution or State Statute.
Traffic crash investigations can be complex in nature and may take months to complete, thus making a timely determination if they are criminal in nature difficult. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office will err on the side of protecting victim’s rights until such time as it is clear it is not a criminal matter. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis as the circumstances of every incident are unique.
Questions may be directed to Sheriff Dale J. Schmidt.
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