Grant County Authorities release information on four separate accidents including two fatal

 Motorcycle Fatality 

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 3:33 P.M., The Grant County Sheriff's Office and Potosi Fire & EMS were dispatched to a motorcycle crash with injuries on Brouillard Hill Road, west of Old Potosi Rd., in Potosi Township.  

Timothy P. Ravn (63) of St. Paul MN. was the Deceased Victim/Operator 

When deputies arrived on scene, they learned Ravn had been traveling westbound on Brouillard Hill Rd., on his 2019 Harley Davidson. After topping the crest of a hill, the rear tire on Ravn's motorcycle locked up, causing the motorcycle to go down on its side and into a skid before coming to rest on the south side of the roadway.  

Ravn was wearing a full face helmet and jacket, but sustained serious life threatening injuries. UW-Med Flight was notified, and Potosi EMS transported Ravn to Grant Regional Hospital in Lancaster, where he was pronounced deceased prior to being transported by Med Flight.  

The Grant County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Potosi Fire Department, Potosi EMS, Grant County Emergency Management, and Arrow Towing out of Lancaster. The Grant County Sheriff's Office was also assisted by the South St. Paul, MN Police Department for notifying next of kin. 

This was Grant County's third fatal crash of 2026.  

Motorcycle Crash with Injuries 

On Saturday May 9th, 2026, at 4:10pm, the Grant County Sheriff's Office took a report of a motorcycle crash with reported minor injuries, on Cty C near Pebble Ln., in the Township of Woodman.  

The driver, David Hemmer 69 of Prairie du Chien, was westbound on Cty C, on his 2006 Harley Davidson. As Hemmer was negotiating a curve, he lost control, and crashed into the ditch on the south side of the roadway. Hemmer was wearing a helmet, riding jacket, and boots at the time of the crash, and only received minor injuries.  

Hemmer refused medical attention. Hemmer was cited for failure to maintain control.  

Hemmer's Motorcycle was removed from the scene by Milo's Towing of Prairie du Chien. 

Fatal Rollover Crash 

On May 10, 2026, at approximately 2:37AM, the Grant County Sheriff's Office received a report of a one vehicle rollover crash with injuries, on CTH A near Buckwheat Ridge Rd., in Ellenboro Township. Along with deputies, first responders from the Platteville Fire Department and Southwest Health EMS were dispatched to the scene.  

When deputies arrived on scene, they learned a 2007 Ford F350, operated by 17yr old Christopher Brandemuehl, of rural Lancaster, and his passenger 26yr old Katy Schafer, of Montfort, were traveling eastbound on CTH A. Brandemuehl's vehicle hit the edge of the roadway to the south before crossing the center line and entering the ditch on the north side of CTH A. The vehicle struck an embankment and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on the driver's side.  

Both Brandemuehl and Schafer were ejected from the vehicle. Brandemuehl was transported by AirCare3 to UW-Hospital in Madison for treatment of critical injuries, and Schafer was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. As a result of the investigation, CTH A was shut down in both directions for approximately 7 hours. 

The Grant County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Platteville Fire Department, Southwest Health EMS, Lancaster EMS, AirCare3, UW Med Flight, Wisconsin State Patrol Crash Reconstruction Team, and Bennett's Towing.  

The incident remains under investigation.  

This was Grant County's fourth fatal crash of 2026. 

Two vehicle crash with Injuries 

On Sunday May 10, 2026, at 2:31 pm, the Grant County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries, on Hwy 18 near CTH C, in Wyalusing Township. Along with a Sheriff's Deputies from Grant and Crawford Counties, Bloomington Fire Department and West Grant EMS were dispatched to the scene.  

When the Grant County deputy arrived on scene, he learned Perry Knutson, 66, of Lancaster, was driving a 2022 Honda CR-V eastbound on Hwy 18. As Knutson was traveling east on Hwy 18, he had to stop in the roadway for a vehicle turning left onto Hwy 18 from CTH C. At the same time, Dean Hoffman, 65, from Wauwatosa, was also driving east on Hwy 18, when he looked down to check some messages. By the time Hoffman looked up he was unable to stop in time and ended up striking the rear of Knutson's vehicle.  

Knutson sustained minor injuries and was transported to Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. Perry Knutson's passenger, Lynn Knutson, also of Lancaster, was uninjured and was able to remove the vehicle from the scene. Hoffman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Crossing Rivers Health Center, by the West Grant EMS.  

The Grant County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, Bloomington Fire Department, West Grant EMS, and Milo's Towing of Prairie Du Chien. 

Hoffman was citied for inattentive driving.