MONROE — A head-on crash Thursday east of Juda seriously injured two men and led in the arrest of one on a drunken driving charge, according to the Green County Sheriff’s Office.

Ian M. Schultz, 21, Monticello, was taken by Green County EMS to Monroe Clinic, then flown by Med-Flight helicopter to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

Schultz’s condition was “critical but stable” as of Friday morning, a hospital spokesperson said. On Monday morning, the hospital reported his condition as “serious,” which is considered one level of improvement up from “critical.” A patient in serious condition is typically considered acutely ill, with questionable indicators and possibly unstable vital signs. 

Schultz faces a charge of operating while intoxicated causing injury. Wisconsin state court records show no traffic or criminal convictions for Schultz.

The other driver, 70-year-old Neil E. Franzen of Anchorage, Alaska, was also first taken to Monroe Clinic for treatment of his injuries, then transported by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

One minute before the crash, at 5:32 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a traffic complaint of a sedan that failed to stop at the stop sign at County GG and Wisconsin 11/81, nearly hitting another vehicle.

The sedan, later determined to be driven by Schultz, continued westbound on Wis. 11/81 toward Juda. It was missing a front tire and being driven on the rim.

“Numerous 911 calls” reported the crash at 5:33 p.m. in the W2100 block of Wis. 11/81, near County OK, according to Sgt. Allen Peters.

The investigation found Schultz’s vehicle entered the north gravel shoulder before returning to the road and crossing the center line into oncoming traffic.

It crashed head-on with Franzen’s eastbound cargo van.

The airbags deployed in both vehicles, which were towed from the scene with severe damage. Franzen reported wearing a seatbelt, and deputies determined Schultz was also wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Juda and Brodhead Fire Departments, Brodhead Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.