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Madison, WI – April 7, 2025 – A Dane County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver this weekend as the deputy was responding to a separate crash, according to officials. The incident highlights the ongoing risk that impaired drivers pose to emergency responders and the public.
The collision occurred on the evening of April 5 near the intersection of Highway 12 and County Highway BB in the Town of Dunn. The deputy had activated lights and sirens while heading to a multi-vehicle wreck when a southbound sedan failed to yield and T-boned the squad car at the intersection.
No officers were injured in the crash, though the squad car sustained significant damage to the driver-side door and rear panel. The deputy was evaluated at a local hospital and released.
The driver of the sedan, a 38-year-old man from Stoughton, was taken into custody at the scene. He showed clear signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol, according to the sheriff’s office. A preliminary breath test measured a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% – nearly twice Wisconsin’s legal limit of 0.08%.
He has been charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) – 3rd offense, as court records indicate two prior convictions in 2018 and 2021. He also faces charges of recklessly endangering safety and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. He is being held at the Dane County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond.
In an exclusive statement to [News Outlet], Captain Jason Vetter of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the preventable nature of the crash.
“Our deputies put their lives on the line every day, and incidents like this are entirely avoidable. We’re seeing a disturbing trend of impaired drivers hitting emergency vehicles, and it’s not just a Dane County problem – it’s statewide and national.”
He added that the sheriff’s office is currently piloting new high-visibility markings on patrol units and lobbying for stiffer penalties for drivers who injure first responders while under the influence. A bill introduced in the Wisconsin State Assembly last month, AB-456, would increase fines and mandatory minimum jail time for OWI offenses involving collisions with emergency vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 1 in 5 crashes involving police vehicles on emergency calls are caused by impaired drivers. In 2024, Wisconsin recorded 9,200 OWI arrests, and over 170 law enforcement vehicles were struck in traffic stops or emergency responses.
The Wisconsin State Patrol reports that between 2020 and 2024, more than 30 officers were injured in preventable drunk-driving collisions. These statistics underscore the life-threatening risks that first responders face from intoxicated motorists, even when they are stationary or clearly marked.
Wisconsin law requires all drivers to yield the right-of-way to any emergency vehicle displaying red or blue lights and sounding a siren. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $500 and suspension of driving privileges. If the violation causes injury or property damage, penalties escalate to possible felony charges.
For OWI offenses, Wisconsin imposes escalating penalties: a first offense is a civil forfeiture (though it is a criminal offense in many other states), but a third offense is a Class H felony punishable by up to 6 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Judges can also order ignition interlock devices, alcohol treatment, and extended license revocations.
With the approach of spring festivals and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office is urging all drivers to plan ahead. “If you drink, don’t drive; if you drive, don’t drink. We want people to have fun, but we also want everyone to get home safely,” Captain Vetter said.
Deputies will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the month of April. The sheriff’s office also reminds citizens to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver on the road.
The crash remains under investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit and the Wisconsin State Patrol. The damaged squad car has been removed for mechanical evaluation, and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending a standard internal review – a routine procedure after any crash involving a marked unit.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Dane County Sheriff’s Office at (608) 284-6800 or Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that drunk driving endangers not only the driver and passengers but also the men and women who protect our communities. As Wisconsin’s roads prepare for heavier spring traffic, law enforcement hopes that accountability and public awareness will reduce these entirely preventable tragedies.
This report includes exclusive commentary from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and data from NHTSA and Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
