Richland County Sheriff's Office

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

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WHEN: 11/22/2022
TIME of Incident: 10:51 P.M.

WHO Involved: David Verdick, 56 of Arena, WI and Ruby Clary, 58, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: City of Richland Center

Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on the evening of 11/22/22, a Deputy of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop in the City of Richland Center for expired registration. During the traffic stop, Deputy Schildgen developed reasonable suspicion and deployed his K9 Aron for a sniff of the vehicle. K9 Aron alerted to the presence of narcotics. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the driver David Verdick was found to be in possession of 1.8g of a crystalline substance that later tested positive for Methamphetamine. Verdick was also placed through Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and showed signs of impairment. The passenger Ruby Clary was found to be in possession of narcotic pills she did not have a prescription for, and 2 pipes that later tested positive for Methamphetamine. Both Verdick and Clary showed to be out on open bonds for drug related charges as well as on active probation. All charges will be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for Prosecution.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind any community members that may have information concerning a crime to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (608) 647-2106. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Richland Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 647-CLUE (2583). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the P3 App at p3tips.com or by downloading the P3 tips app.

ARREST or CHARGES: David Verdick – 961.41(3g)(g) Possession of Methamphetamine; 946.49(1)(b) Felony Bailjumping; 346.63(1)(a) Operating while under the influence
Ruby Clary – 961.41(3g)(am) Possession of Controlled Substance; 961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 946.49(1)(a) Misdemeanor Bail Jumping

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

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WHEN: 11/24/2022
TIME of Incident: 1:45 P.M.

WHO Involved: Brandon Young, 30, of Baraboo, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Village of Gotham

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 11-24-2022, a traffic stop was conducted on State Hwy 60 near the intersection of County Hwy TB in the Village of Gotham for an equipment violation. During the traffic stop, the deputy requested a K9. K9 Aron of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was deployed for a sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located 2.5g of a brown gravel substance that later tested positive for heroin, and .8g of a crystalline substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. These items were located above the sun visor of the driver’s seat, where Brandon Young was seated. All charges will be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Young is also out on bond from Columbia County for similar drug related charges.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind any community members that may have information concerning a crime to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (608) 647-2106. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Richland Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 647-CLUE (2583). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the P3 App at p3tips.com or by downloading the P3 tips app.

ARREST or CHARGES: Brandon Young – 961.41(3g)(Am) Possession Of Narcotic Drugs; 961.41(3g)(G) Possession Of Methamphetamine; 946.49(1)(B) Felony Bailjumping; 346.63(1)(A) OWI 1st Offense

One Injured in Motor Vehicle Crash

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WHEN: 11/16/2022
TIME of Incident: 6:56 A.M.

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.

One Injured in Motor Vehicle Crash

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WHEN: 10/15/2022
TIME of Incident: 11:35 P.M.

WHO Involved: Hannah L Novy, 33, of Boscobel

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 60, East of State Highway 193

What happened: On 10/15/2022 at 11:35pm, Richland County Dispatch received a report of a vehicle in the ditch on State Highway 60 just East of State Highway 193. Responding Deputies arrived on scene and located vehicle operator, Hannah L. Novy, 33 of Boscobel unconscious but breathing a distance away from the vehicle. The initial investigation of the crash showed that the vehicle entered the ditch on the North Side of State Highway 60 just West of State Highway 193. The investigation shows that the operator of the vehicle was ejected from the vehicle before it came to rest East of State Highway 193 in the ditch. The driver was transported to Richland Hospital by Muscoda EMS for serious injuries.

Arrest or Charges: Accident still under investigation

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda EMS, Wegner’s Towing

One Vehicle Crash on County Highway V Results in Injuries

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WHEN: 10/16/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:45 A.M.

WHO Involved: Riley Astle, 20, of Cazenovia

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway V and Duren Drive

What happened: On 10/16/2022 at 5:45am, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call reference a truck that was off the road on County Hwy V just east of Duran Dr. The driver of the vehicle, Riley Astle, 20 of Cazenovia was found conscious and breathing in front of the vehicle and was transported to Reedsburg hospital by Cazenovia EMS. The initial investigation of the crash showed that the vehicle entered the ditch on the north side of County Hwy V where it struck a culvert and the truck came to rest on a field road entrance.

Arrest or Charges: Accident still under investigation

Other Agencies Involved: Cazenovia Fire and EMS, Shields Towing

Motorcycle Crash Results in Injury

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WHEN: 09/15/2022
TIME of Incident: 6:03 P.M.

WHO Involved: Anthony R. Sitting, 38, of Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway AA near Bowen Circle

What happened:On 09/15/2022 just after 6:00pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a single motorcycle crash on County Hwy AA near Bowen Circle in Richland Township. The operator, Anthony R. Sittig, 38, of Richland Center, was traveling northbound on County Hwy AA when the motorcycle he was operating left the roadway and crashed. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Richland Center Police Department responded to the scene where it was discovered that Sittig suffered potentially serious injuries sustained in the crash. The Richland Fire Department and Richland EMS also arrived and Sittig was transported to the Richland Hospital via EMS. Sittig was later transported via Med Flight to a different facility for his injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrest or Charges: None

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS

ATV Accident Leads To Death Of Cazenovia Man

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WHEN: 09/15/2022
TIME of Incident: 8:19 P.M.

WHO Involved: Ronald R. Jasper, 83 of Cazenovia

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway CC South of County Highway V

What happened:On 09-15-22 shortly after 8pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call stating that a male party was located in a creek near an ATV that was tipped over just off of County Hwy CC in Westford Township. Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office responded as well as members of the Cazenovia Fire Department and Cazenovia EMS. Life saving efforts were attempted prior to the arrival of first responders, but were unsuccessful. Ronald R. Jasper, 83 of rural Cazenovia was pronounced deceased on scene by the Richland County Coroner’s Office. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was requested to assist in the investigation, which is still ongoing.

Arrest or Charges: None

Other Agencies Involved: Cazenovia Fire Department, Cazenovia EMS, Wisconsin DNR, Richland County Coroner

Traffic Crash Results In Fatality

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WHEN: 09/09/2022
TIME of Incident: 5:48 A.M.

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 East of Highway 58

What happened:On 09-09-2022, at approximately 5:48am Richland County Deputies responded to a report of a head-on collision involving a semi and passenger car on US Hwy 14 just East of State Hwy 58. When emergency personnel arrived, both lanes of US Hwy 14 were closed to allow for cleanup and investigation. Based on witness statements as well as evidence recovered from the scene, it is believed that the driver of the car who was heading Westbound deviated from the lane of traffic and entered the Eastbound Lane. The semi driver who was traveling Eastbound attempted evasive maneuvers, but was unable to avoid the collision and struck the car head-on. The driver of the car was pronounced deceased on scene, while the driver of the semi was physically uninjured. A Wisconsin State Patrol Reconstruction Team was contacted to assist with processing the scene. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was also assisted on scene by the Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and the Richland County Coroner’s Office. The vehicles were removed by Wegner Towing. The crash is still under investigation and the identities of the parties involved are being withheld until proper notification of family members.

Other Agencies Involved: Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland Center Fire Dept, Richland EMS, Richland County Coroner’s Office, Wegner’s Towing

One Injured In Motorcycle Crash

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WHEN: 07/21/2022
TIME of Incident: 12:03 P.M.

WHO Involved: Kenneth P. Hines, 65 of Blue River

WHERE Incident Happened: County Road M, near Hilly Billy Lane

What happened:Richland County Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 7/21/2022 at around 12:03 pm dispatch received a report of a motorcycle accident on County Road M, near Hilly Billy Lane. Responding Deputies arrived on scene and observed a motorcycle in the ditch with a male party sitting along side the motorcycle. Kenneth P. Hines of Blue River was traveling East on County Highway M near Hilly Billy Lane, when he failed to negotiate a corner on County Road M. Hines then went off the road and ended up in the ditch. Blue River EMS arrived on scene shortly after Deputies arrival. Blue River EMS transported Hines to Boscobel Hospital for his injuries. Blue River Fire also assisted on scene. Wegner Towing recovered the motorcycle from the ditch.

Arrest or Charges: Pending citations for not having a valid motorcycle license and failure to register motorcycle.

Other Agencies Involved: Blue River EMS, Blue River Fire, Wegner’s Towing

Speed Awareness Day

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/22/2022

CONTACT: Sheriff Clay Porter  clay.porter@co.richland.wi.us

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM SIX STATES JOINING FORCES TO COMBAT SPEEDING

Richland Center, WI. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is joining law enforcement officers from six states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) on July 27 in this year’s NHTSA Region 5 high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign.

This campaign is an effort to address the drastic increase in speed and hazardous moving violations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speeding is involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. NHTSA statistical projections for 2021 shows traffic deaths grew by 10.5% to 42,915.  This also represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the highest annual percentage increase in the recorded history of data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

In 2020 there were 5,413 fatal injuries in the six-state region with 1,668 (30.8%) being speed related fatalities.  Traffic crashes that result in death due to speeding are higher in the summer months. The highest fatalities occur between June to September.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:

  • Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
  • Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
  • Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;
  • Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;
  • Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and
  • Increased fuel consumption/cost.

“One of the most concerning aspects of speeding is the increased stopping distance.”  “A vehicle traveling at 30 mph will need about 110 feet to come to a complete stop.” “In comparison, a car moving at 60 mph will need over 300 feet to stop, this is almost the entire length of a football field!” said Sheriff Porter.

According to the NHTSA, drivers who speed are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt, drinking and driving, or using a cell phone while driving.

The speed awareness campaign has a twofold approach: to combine increased, zero-tolerance enforcement with effective communication to road users on the importance of obeying the speed limit.  High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) is a proven countermeasure for reinforcing driver compliance with posted speed limits.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and save lives.  There is no reason to speed, it is unnecessary and endangers everyone on the road.  It may get you there a bit faster, but if you obey the speed limit signs, you will most likely arrive alive.

For more information, please visit http://trafficsafetymarketing.gov/.