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Booze, snow plow involved in New Year’s crash
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MONROE — Police have not released the name of a Brooklyn man who was severely injured in a complex, multi-vehicle crash involving a Rock County snow plow in the opening hours of 2023.

According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just before 1:24 A.M., and deputies responded to the scene on N Hwy 14 and W Holt Rd in the Town of Union. Slippery roads and alcohol also contributed to what amounted to a series of two crashes, which closed North Hwy 14 for about two hours.

“Upon arrival and investigation, it was discovered a southbound SUV driven by a 23-yearold male from Brooklyn, WI lost control and began to slide sideways into the northbound lane of traffic,” police said in a statement. “A northbound Rock County Highway Department plow truck driven by a 43- year-old male from Janesville, WI struck the SUV in the northbound lane. The SUV split into two pieces, the rear end went into the ditch on the west side of the roadway, the front end came to rest in the southbound lane of traffic.”

Then, as the SUV driver got out of his car and was standing in the doorway, police said another collision occurred.

“A second crash then occurred approximately 1-2 minutes later when another southbound car struck the front end of the vehicle in the southbound lane of traffic,” said the statement. “The front end of the vehicle then stuck the driver of the SUV and both entered the ditch on the east side of the roadway. The front end of the vehicle landed on top of the driver pinning him underneath. “

According to police, the driver of the SUV sustained injuries characterized as “life-threatening” and rushed to UW Madison. He also was arrested for 1st offense OWI, police said.  Attempts to get his identity from the sheriff’s office were unsuccessful on Monday, a holiday due to the New Year’s weekend.

Meanwhile, the also unnamed driver of the plow truck was uninjured and the driver of the other involved car sustained only minor injuries and was treated on scene 

Additional personnel assisting at the expansive crash scene included those from: Evansville Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Fire Department, Brooklyn Fire Department, and Fitch-Rona Fire Department. 

The crash remains under investigation, officials added.