Driver Airlifted After Serious Motorcycle Crash - Highway 29, Elk Mound

On April 30, 2016 at approximately 7:24 PM the Dunn County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a motorcycle crash on State Highway 29 near County Highway H in the Town of Elk Mound. The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Dunn County First Responders, Colfax Rescue Squad, and Elk Mound Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the motorcycle was traveling at a very high rate of speed eastbound on State Highway 29 when it left the roadway, entered the median, and crossed into the westbound shoulder. The occupant was ejected from the motorcycle and was found in the highway median with severe injuries. Alcohol and speed appear to be a factor in the crash. The driver was not wearing a helmet.

The driver was airlifted to a local hospital by a Mayo One rescue helicopter. The driver’s name is not being released at this time. Westbound traffic on State Highway 29 was closed for a short period of time during the incident. The crash remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office.

The Elk Mound Police Department and the Dunn County First Responders also assisted at the scene.

[Update: May 1, 2016]

The operator was identified as Christopher J. Gilbertson of Eau Claire, WI. Gilbertson was cited for Operating Under the Influence 4th Offense, Operating After License Revocation, and Failure to Maintain Control.

Flood Water Rescue - Town of Peru

On March 19, 2016 at approximately 10:03 PM the Dunn County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle and its four occupants were trapped in flood waters and the water was entering the vehicle. The incident occurred on 160th Avenue just west of Meridean in the Town of Peru along the Chippewa River. Dunn County Sheriffs’ Deputies responded to the scene as well as the Durand Fire Department, Durand Ambulance Service, and area Dunn County First Responders.

The Fire Department was able to safely extricate the four occupants who had taken housing on the roof of the vehicle to avoid the flood waters. The four occupants were safely removed from the flood water and no injuries were reported other than minor exposure to the cold water.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and other first responders would like to remind all persons traveling near flooded roadways to “TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN”. When roadways become flooded it is impossible for an operator to know where the actual paved roadway is and if the actual roadway is not washed out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water.

Fatal Crash - Town of Tiffany

On March 18, 2016 at approximately 3:18 PM the Dunn County Communications Center received a report of a one-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 79 and 280th Street in the Township of Tiffany. Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Boyceville Fire Department, Boyceville Ambulance, Boyceville Police Department, and Life-Link Medical Helicopter responded.

The vehicle was northbound on State Highway 79 approaching 280th Street when it failed to negotiate a curve, entered a wooded area and struck a tree. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dunn County Medical Examiner.

Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office. The name of the victim is not being released at this time pending family notification.