WHERE Incident Happened: 20375 Tuckaway Valley Rd, Richland Center, WI 53581

What happened: Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a house fire at 20375 Tuckaway Valley Rd, Richland Center, WI 53581 from a neighbor. Responding Deputies arrived to a house fully engulfed and collapsed. A male party was located standing near the shed next to the house. The male party stated that he was able to escape through a main floor window, but believed his wife was still inside the residence. Due to the house being collapsed and fully engulfed in flames, deputies were unable to attempt rescue. Male party was transported to the Richland hospital via Richland EMS and Richland Fire worked on extinguishing the fire. Deputies spoke with male party at the hospital after he had been medically examined, and he stated that it was roughly 10:45pm when he noticed the fire and escaped out of the house. The male party stated he was unable to contact anyone at the time he escaped the residence. The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was contacted for a Fire Marshal to Investigate the scene and assist in the search of male parties wife. Emergency personnel were eventually able to conduct a search of the residence and located a deceased party.

This complaint is still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation

WHO Involved: Bruce C Anderson, 66, of Lone Rock, WI
Jamie A Zinkle, 33, of Lone Rock, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy B just East of County Hwy BA

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 02/07/2023 at approximately 6:45pm, Richland County Dispatch received a report of a vehicle that had struck a pedestrian on County Hwy B just East of the intersection of County Hwy BA. Deputies arrived on scene minutes after the call was reported to dispatch and were able to render aid to the injured pedestrian, Bruce Anderson until Medical First Responders arrived on scene. Deputies made contact with the reporting party and operator of striking vehicle, Jamie Zinkle on scene to gather information regarding the incident. Zinkle did not show any signs of impairment while speaking with deputies and voluntarily submitted to testing. Anderson was transported to the Richland Hospital by Lone Rock EMS for life threatening injuries. Anderson was transported by Med Flight to UW Madison where he succumbed to his injuries. The vehicle was removed from the scene by Wegner’s Auto Service and Wisconsin State Patrol assisted with the Technical Reconstruction of the crash.

This crash is still under investigation.

ARREST or CHARGES: Pending due to investigation.

WHO Involved: Michael Krueger, 28, of Westby, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Sylvan Township, Richland County, WI

What happened: Deputies were called to the report of a male who had stolen a handgun out of a truck, fired several rounds into the side of a residential home, and then left the scene at approximately 2:20 AM in Sylvan Township. Deputies arrived on scene and located several bullet holes in the side of the residence as well as several spent shell casings near the driveway. Female complainant stated her and the suspect got into a verbal domestic argument and the suspect threatened to shoot another male party who he knew was located inside the residence. The suspect then proceeded to shoot several rounds into the side of the residence. The suspect, Michael Krueger was later apprehended by the Westby Police Department. Krueger is currently in the Richland County Jail awaiting a bail hearing. No injuries are reported.

ARREST or CHARGES: 1st Degree Attempted Reckless Homicide, 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Theft of a Firearm, Criminal Damage to Property, and Disorderly Conduct by use of a Dangerous Weapon

WHO Involved: Werner Hudak, 75, of County Highway Q, Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy Q, west of Hyatt Springs Ln

On 12/15/2022, around 2 am, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call stating that there was a male party located in the creek near a car that had driven into a creek on County Highway Q. A deputy from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office along with two Officers from the Richland Center Police Department responded to the scene. Life-saving efforts were attempted but were unsuccessful. Werner Hudak, 75, of Richland Center was pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland County Coroners Officer.

AGENCIES Involved: Richland Center Police Department, and the Richland County Coroner

Date:  December 14th, 2022

Richland County Sheriff’s Office to participate in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign

This holiday season, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and the nation to prevent tragedies in our communities.

There will be more officers out patrolling to get impaired drivers off the roads during the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday enforcement campaign. It runs Friday, December 16 through New Year’s Day.

The campaign is not simply about stopping or arresting drivers. It is focused on saving lives. Someone is killed or injured in impaired driving crash every two hours in Wisconsin. During the last holiday season, there were nearly 400 crashes that involved an impaired driver.

Alcohol and drugs can have a significant impact on a driver’s focus and ability to maintain control behind the wheel. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 6,368 alcohol-related crashes that killed 166 people. Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities.

Wisconsin officers have special training to help combat impaired driving, including:

• 6,382 police officers trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roads
• 365 highly trained Drug Recognition Experts, among the most in the nation
• 25 multi-jurisdictional high-visibility OWI task forces operating around the state

Everyone in the community can help with this effort in several ways:

• If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver, or find a safe ride home. Never allow someone who is impaired to get behind the wheel.
• If you suspect a driver is impaired call 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location.
• Download the free Drive Sober mobile app from the WisDOT website. The app includes a find a ride feature to help locate mass transit and taxi or rideshare services.
• Some bars and restaurants have programs to provide patrons a safe ride home.
• Buckle up and put your phone down. Every trip, every time..

WHO Involved: Maxwell Donnelly, 32, of Jefferson, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: On State Hwy 56 of Hickory Hill Road

Donnelly was operating a 1997 Ford traveling west bound on State Hwy 56 near Hickory Hill Road when he stated he lost control of his vehicle due to icy road conditions. The vehicle traveled into the north ditch line and over turned, landing on the drivers side. Donnelly reported no injuries.

AGENCIES Involved: Richland Center Fire Department

WHO Involved: Jacob Osborne, 21, of Fennimore
Jeffrey Vandenbergh, 48, of Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: On State hwy 56 at the intersection of County Hwy A

Osborne was operating a 1994 Suzuki traveling west on State Hwy 56 approaching the intersection with County Hwy A. Vandenbergh was operating a 1993 Peterbuilt slurry truck traveling south on County Hwy A approaching a stop sign. Vandenbergh stated he could not stop due to ice on the roadway and slid through the intersection, striking the Osborne vehicle. Osborne was transported by the Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad to Gunderson Luthern Hospital in Hillsboro due to his injuries.

AGENCIES Involved: Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad and the Richland Center Fire Department

WHO Involved: Julie A Pretsch, 22, of Lone Rock, WI
Glenn J Milos, 55, of Illinois

WHERE Incident Happened: US Hwy 14 just west of County Hwy B

What happened: On 11/16/2022 at 6:56am, Richland County Dispatch took a report of a two vehicle accident on US Hwy 14 just west of County Hwy B with injuries and road blockage. Responding Deputies arrived on scene and located both operators involved in the crash and determined only one had sustained injuries. The investigation indicated that the vehicle traveling Westbound operated by Pretsch, lost control of the vehicle due to road conditions and crossed the center-line striking the vehicle which was traveling eastbound. The eastbound lane of travel was closed down by the Richland Fire and Lone Rock EMS transported Pretsch to the Richland Hospital for non life threatening injuries. Wegner Auto Service assisted in the removal of both vehicles.