WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 14 at State Highway 58

What happened: On April 6th, 2021 at approximately 12:50 A.M., The Richland County Sheriff’s received a 9-1-1 call reporting a two vehicle crash at State Highway 14 and State Highway 58. At the time, Richland County was also experiencing a county wide cellular service interruption affecting both the 9-1-1 system and regular cellular services which caused further complications. Deputies responded to find one vehicle, a red 2009 Toyota Camry, in the ditch alongside the westbound lanes of Highway 14. The second vehicle, a white 2017 Kenworth Semi pulling a loaded trailer, was stopped farther west on Highway 14. The semi was also hauling recreational size propane tanks, which during the crash had been scattered across all four lanes of Highway 14 forcing the highway to be shut down.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, Richard W. Anderson, 92 years’ old, from Vadnais Heights Minnesota was entrapped in his vehicle and needed to be extricated. Anderson, who sustained life threating injuries, was extricated from his vehicle by the Richland Center Fire Department, treated on scene by Richland County EMS until UW Madison Medflight arrived. Medflight landed at the intersection and Anderson was flown to UW Madison Hospital where his condition is listed as critical. The driver of the semi was not injured in the crash and assisted on scene until emergency units arrived.

Witnesses state Anderson’s vehicle was southbound on State Highway 58, approaching the stop sign at the intersection with State Highway 14 and failed to stop at the stop sign. Anderson’s vehicle continued through the intersection striking the westbound semi. Anderson’s vehicle struck the semi-trailer just in front of the rear axle, where the propane tanks were stored. Anderson’s vehicle was then forced to the shoulder and came to rest in the ditch. Anderson’s vehicle sustained major damage in the crash and was removed by Wegner Towing. The semi-truck was not damaged, however, the trailer was also removed by Wegner Towing due to damages sustained in the crash.

State Highway 14 was shut down for approximately two hours during the incident from County Road O by Wal-Mart and County Road B at Sextonville.

ARREST or CHARGES: At this time, this incident remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

At approximately 6:39pm deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover on State Hwy 80 near Candlewood Ln. Prior to the deputies’ arrival a witness observed the driver flee up a hill into a wooded area. Deputies tracked the subject to the north east towards Wegner Rd. A property owner on Whippoorwill Rd contacted the Sheriff’s Department stating that there were fresh footprints in the snow leading to a vacant trailer house on his property. Deputies responded to that address and made entry into the trailer, a male party matching the description of the driver who had fled the crash scene was located inside. Several items of drug paraphernalia an illegal narcotics were located in the driver’s possession. The male party refused to identify himself to law enforcement but was later identified using his distinctive tattoos.

Who Involved: Craig D. Bellis, 40 of Spring Green, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Arrest or Charges: 946.41 Obstructing, 943.14 Criminal Trespass to Dwelling, 961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 961.41(3G)(E) Possession of THC

On 03-08-21 at approximately 7:00pm, a vehicle was traveling southbound on State Hwy 80 when it lost control and slide sideways into the west ditch. The vehicle is believed to have rolled multiple times and came to rest on the passenger side door. Both occupants of the vehicle were trapped inside and needed to be extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department. Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda was transported via Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital for his injuries. Poupart was later tansported via Med-Flight to UW Hospital in Madison. Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda was pronounced dead at the scene. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted with a crash reconstruction of the accident scene. Speed and alcohol were believed to be contributing factors in the crash and the investigation is still ongoing.

Who Involved:
Zachary W. Brunton, 29 of Muscoda, WI
Thomas R. Poupart, 28 of Muscoda, WI

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, UW Med Flight, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, Richland County Coroner

On November 8th, 2020, at 8PM a worker from the Boaz Country store called the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to inform law enforcement that they were robbed at knife point. A description of the suspect along with video of the incident were obtained by law enforcement. At approximately 11:45 PM the Richland Center Police Department observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspects vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. Items consistent with the robbery were located inside the vehicle. The Suspect was arrested and taken to the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Mekel J.L. Gordon, 19, of Soldiers Grove, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

On 07/11/2020 at approximately 10:17pm, Richland County Dispatch was notified of a disturbance at an apartment building located on Hwy 14 just west of State Hwy 58. Thomas Spry reportedly entered his neighbors apartment causing a disturbance and was sprayed by bear mace by the occupant. Spry went back to his apartment and contacted 911 seeking medical attention. When deputies were assisting Spry in his apartment they observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Spry was transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital due to the exposure of the bear mace. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Spry’s apartment where several items of drug paraphernalia were located along with methamphetamine and marijuana. Spry was arrested and booked into the Richland County Jail.

Who Involved: Thomas Spry, 68 of Richland Center, wI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Police Department, and Richland County District Attorney’s Office

Arrests or Charges: Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass to a Dwelling, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of THC

On 07/12/2020 at approximately 12:26am Richland County Dispatch was notified of a UTV crash at the intersection of State Hwy 58 and County Hwy N to the east. Upon arrival EMS and officers located a male party laying in the middle of County Hwy N just east at the intersection with State Hwy 58. The UTV was located still running off the south side of County Hwy N east of his location; however there appeared to be no damage to the UTV or evidence of a crash. The male party appeared to have severe head injuries. The male party was transported to the Richland Hospital, then transferred to Madison via UW Med Flight for serious injuries.

Who Involved:  Robb Bee, 52 of Richland Center, WI

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Fire Department, and Ithaca First Responders

On 07/11/2020 at approximately 5:30pm Richland County Dispatch was notified of a motorcycle crash on County Hwy ZZ just north of Huth School Road. Upon arrival the driver and passenger were located laying in the ditch on the east side of the roadway. The driver stated that a deer had come out into the roadway causing him to lose control and lay the motorcycle down. It appears from marks on the highway the motorcycle and the two occupants traveled approximately 40 to 50 yards before coming to rest off the highway. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the Richland Hospital by EMS for serious injuries.

Who Involved:  John Koester, 60 of Green Bay, WI and Terrie Koester, 65 of Green Bay, WI

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland County Ambulance Service, Richland Center Fire Department

Richland County dispatch received a 911 call at 5:40am from a male party stating that his car was in the Wisconsin River near Lone Rock. Deputies responded to Hwy 130 south of Lone Rock. Hwy 130 is currently under construction and it appeared that a vehicle had traveled through the barricades. Deputies arrived at the south boat landing near the main channel. There were vehicle tracks traveling through the boat landing, entering the river. Lone Rock Fire Department and a Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputy deployed their boats and began searching for the vehicle. The vehicle was located at approximately 6:00am about 300 yards down river from the Hwy 130 bridge. The vehicle was submerged with approximately 4 inches of water over it. Deputies and Fire personnel removed the sunroof of the vehicle and pulled Kodi Knoble, age 21 of Lone Rock, from the vehicle. Emergency personnel began CPR and traveled back to the boat landing meeting Lone Rock EMS. Lone Rock EMS transported Knoble to Richland Center Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Sauk County Dive Team and Wegners towing assisted in removing the vehicle.

Who Involved: Kodi Knoble, 21 of Lone Rock

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock Fire and EMS, Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, Sauk County Dive Team, and Wegner’s Towing

At approximately 7:04 pm, June 22, 2020, Richland County Dispatch was notified by Vernon County they received a 911 call regarding a single vehicle crash on county Hwy A near Cherry Valley Road. Upon arrival the vehicle was found off of the west side of County Hwy A and it appeared the vehicle had rolled at least once. The driver, Ann Peters, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and it is believed she was ejected from her vehicle during the crash. La Farge Fire Department and Viola EMS responded to the scene. Ann was transported by Viola EMS to the Richland Hospital for possible injuries. While investigating the crash Ann was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was issued a citation for OWI first offense.

Who Involved: Ann L. Peters, 64 of La Farge, wI

Other Agencies Involved: La Farge Fire Department, and Viola EMS

Arrest or Charges: 346.63(1)(A) OWI First Offense & 346.57(2) Failure to Keep Vehicle Under Control