Fatal Motorcycle Crash - Town of Otter Creek

On August 14, 2016 at 12:44 PM the Dunn County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a car versus motorcycle crash on Cty Rd S at 570th St in Otter Creek Township. The initial report was that the motorcycle operator was unresponsive.

Dunn Counties Deputies, Colfax Ambulance, Dunn County first responders and Lifelink Helicopter were dispatched to the scene.

Once on scene it was determined that the adult male operator of the motorcycle was deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash. The operator was wearing a helmet. There were no other occupants on the motorcycle.

The adult female operator of the car involved was uninjured. There were no other occupants in the car.

The name of the deceased motorcycle operator is Samuel Hayes age 25 of Wheeler, WI.

The operator of the car involved was Nicole Sorenson, age 19 of Wheeler, WI. Sorenson will be cited for operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Based on the investigation Hayes travelled into Sorenson’s lane of travel, failing to yield to Sorenson and struck Sorenson’s car.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Dunn County Medical examiner’s office and Wisconsin State Patrol.

Red Cedar River Drowning - Downsville

On Monday, July 25, 2016 at 4:02 PM the Dunn County Communications Center received a report of a male who had possibly drowned in the Red Cedar River at the Downsville Boat Landing in the Town of Dunn. The adult male was unconscious and was not breathing when found in the water near the boat landing. CPR was started by people who had gotten out of the river at the landing at the end of their tubing trip.

Dunn Counties Deputies, Menomonie Ambulance and Mayo One Helicopter were dispatched to the scene.

It was learned that the victim had gone into the river at the landing with a tube to try to assist a group of tubers that had gone by the take out point at the landing.

The victim was transported to Mayo-Eau Claire Hospital by Mayo One Helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The name of the victim will not be released at this time pending family notification.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office.

Red Cedar River Drowning - Town of Sand Creek

On Sunday, July 24, 2016 at approximately 3:13 PM the Dunn County Communications Center received a report of a missing female that was last seen at the boat landing at Riverside Park along the Red Cedar River in the Town of Sand Creek. It was believed that she had entered the water. The Sand Creek Fire Department and the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene. The New Auburn Fire Department was also called to respond with an additional boat for assistance.

A land, shoreline, and water search and rescue operation immediately began. A Dunn County K-9 Deputy also assisted at the scene; other officers checked roadways and the Red Cedar River.

Sand Creek Fire Personnel onboard a rescue airboat located the female in the Red Cedar River downstream from Riverside Park. CPR and life-saving measures were conducted and the female was transported to a nearby landing zone for a rescue helicopter.

The victim was a 43 year-old female from New Auburn, WI; she was later pronounced deceased by the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is believed that alcohol and the swift river current were contributing factors. The name of the victim will not be released at this time pending family notification.

The incident remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff also reminds everyone to use caution when participating in recreational activities on the water especially in areas of swift current.