One car collisions
Accident reports
Taylor County Law Enforcement
Travis Emmerich, 29, of Medford, was eastbound on Hwy 64, when he drifted across the oncoming lane of traffic and entered into the north ditch on August 28, 2021 at 5:35 a.m. The vehicle struck the driveway embankment, which caused the vehicle to go airborne for approximately 25-30 feet. The vehicle came to rest in the ditch just east of the residence of W4162 Hwy 64. The occupants fled the scene. It was later learned that the passenger sustained a facial injury as a result of the crash. Two violations were issued: Failure of operator to notify police of accident; and inattentive driving.
Brad Blair, 32 of Ogema, was traveling east on Silver Creek Rd on September 5 at 6:00 a.m. when he failed to make a curve to the right. His vehicle ran straight off of the roadway, through a ditch, struck a tree, and rolled onto its left side. Blair stated he fell asleep while driving and was issued a citation for inattentive driving.
A vehicle driven by Lori Herschell, 58 of Medford, was traveling eastbound on W. Broadway Ave. at 2:20 p.m. on Sept. 7 and was stopped at Washington Ave. preparing for a left hand turn. There was too much traffi c for Herschell to turn and she was waiting with turn signal activated. A vehicle driven by Nancy Behling, 84, of Medford, was traveling eastbound following the Herschell vehicle, and was distracted by utility work that was occurring off the roadway on the southwest corner of the intersection. The Behling vehicle struck the rear of the Herschell vehicle causing minor damage to the Herschell vehicle and moderate to severe damage to the front of the Behling vehicle. The Behling vehicle was towed from the scene.
James Harder, 67, of Medford, was traveling southbound, on a tractor on September 8, at 6:00 p.m. on CTH E, hauling a farming tiller, he signaled to turn left when he was struck on the driver’s side. Mark Kaphamer, 64, of Westboro, claimed that he didn’t notice a turn signal being used. There was damage to the front passenger side of his vehicle.
Bruce Steinhoff, 52, La Crosse, was parked in the lot at 160 Medford Plaza on September 10 at 1:39 p.m. Mary Kropp, 81, Rib Lake, was backing away from a nearby parking space, when she struck Steinhoff’s unoccupied vehicle. Steinhoff left the scene, but was later identified. Kropp was not aware that she had come in contact with Steinhoff’s car.
Billie Schilling, 42, Medford, was parked in an angled parking space in the lot at 135 S. Gibson St. on Sept. 10 at 7:54 a.m. . Cindy Beran, 53, Abbotsford, was stopping in the parking space in front of Schilling vehicle, when she took her foot off the brake and it rolled forward into Schilling’s vehicle.
Brian Johnson, 59, Medford, was driving northbound on N. 3rd St on September 9, at 1:01 p.m. and pulled over to the side of the road to park. Johnson claims there was a mechanical engine failure and began to roll forward. Johnson lost the ability to steer or stop and struck Carson Doriot’s car, which was legally parked, and unoccupied. Johnson’s car was towed and he received no citation.
The following car versus deer accidents were reported: Michael Beran, 62, of Athens, at 5:55 a.m. on September 7, CTH E, in the town of Little Black; Kelly Dasssow, 36, Medford, on September 7 at 9:20 p.m. on Hwy. 64, in the town of Hammel; Brian Wilson, 48, of Medford, on Hwy 102, in the town of Rib Lake, on September 8 at 8:00 p.m.; Lucas Ortengren, 17, of Medford on CTH E. in the town of Hammel on September 6 at 8:45 p.m.; Clover Mabie, 39, of Medford on September 6 at 9 p.m. on W3848 Center Ave., in the town of Browning.
An accident report that appeared in September 9 issue of The Star News incorrectly reported the name of a second driver in the two vehicle crash that occurred on August 29 at 9:15 p.m. at W3964 CTH O as Henesy Rudolph, 16, of Medford. Rudolph was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Kailey Miller, 16, Medford that was struck. The driver of the second vehicle was Dustin Thums, 22, of Athens.
