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Man killed in drunken crash
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ORFORDVILLE - A Brodhead man was killed in a one-vehicle accident Sunday night, Sept. 23, and the driver of the vehicle was arrested for homicide caused by drunk driving.

Douglas W. Axelson, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene by Rock County Coroner Don Robinson.

Axelson was a passenger in a 1997 Buick LeSabre driven by Sean M. Waterman, 32, also of Brodhead.

Waterman was airlifted to Rockford Memorial Hospital by REACT helicopter, where he was listed in critical but stable condition with severe pelvic injuries.

Waterman was arrested for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle; operating after revocation causing death; third offense OWI; open intoxicants in a motor vehicle; failure to maintain control of vehicle; and failure to fasten seatbelt. He is scheduled to appear in court on the charges on Oct. 16.

According to police officials, Waterman was traveling north on Wisconsin 213 at a high rate of speed when he lost control on a curve in the road. The car entered the shoulder, struck a raised driveway and went airborne. Waterman's car hit a utility pole and sign, rolled over and came to rest in the ditch. Waterman was partially ejected and pinned under the roof of the car; Axelson was trapped in the passenger seat.

The accident happened at about 6:30 p.m. on Wis. 213, just north of West Lang Road in the Town of Spring Valley. Rock County Sheriff deputies, along with police, fire and EMS from Orfordville responded to the accident. The road was closed for about four hours as police investigated.

- Times staff