November 19, 2023 – Dodge Co., WI – The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash which resulted in serious injuries, which are believed to be not be life-threatening.
This was the first of two serious injury crashes overnight, both of which had alcohol impairment as a leading factor in the crash, and lack of seatbelt use being a factor in the seriousness of injuries.
Shortly after 11 pm on Saturday, November 18, 2023, deputies responded to a report of a pickup truck which left the road and crashed into a tree on Walton Rd about one mile west of County Highway K in the town of Shields, which is about four miles northwest of Watertown.
The initial investigation showed a rural Watertown man, 31, was northbound on Walton Road and failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, left the roadway, and crashed into a tree. A small fire was caused near the crashed vehicle and the fire was extinguished by a nearby resident who reported the crash.
The man was flown from the scene to a level 2 trauma center by a medical helicopter due to suspected serious injuries. He was arrested for operating while impaired (OWI). Lack of seatbelt usage was also a factor in the seriousness of injuries.
The man was the only occupant of the truck and no other vehicles were involved.
A deputy was uninjured when their squad collided with a deer while responding to the crash.
A rural Watertown woman, 29, drove to the scene during the investigation and was also suspected of being impaired by alcohol. She was also arrested for OWI.
Assisting at the scene were the Watertown Fire Department, Watertown EMS, and Flight For Life. The crash is under investigation.
Questions may be directed to Sheriff Dale J. Schmidt