Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. News

On Saturday, August 13, at 6:21 pm, a Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy and a City of Fennimore Police Officer responded to the area of Highway 18 and County Road G in the Township of Wingville for a reported crash between an Iowa County Deputy and another vehicle.  An Iowa County Sheriff’s Deputy had been traveling eastbound on Highway 18 in Grant County near old Hwy 18. The Iowa County Deputy was operating a fully marked black, Ford Explorer Police Interceptor.  At the same time, 28 year old  Honorio Martinez,of Lancaster was traveling westbound on Highway 18. Martinez crossed the center line and nearly side swiped the Iowa County Deputy and was at one point traveling westbound in the east bound lane.

The Iowa County Deputy then observed Martinez traveling over the center line once he passed him. The Iowa County Deputy turned from his direction of travel and turned into the west bound lane of Highway 18. The Iowa County Deputy observed Martinez  again traveling into oncoming traffic in the east bound lane. He then weaved back into the westbound lane. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and Martinez continued traveling back into oncoming traffic in the east bound lane at approximately 30 mph.

The suspect vehicle met a line of 5 vehicles and slowed to 15-20 miles per hour, still traveling into oncoming traffic. The Iowa County Deputy made the decision that based on the dangerous driving behavior of the driver, he would need to stop the vehicle before it caused a serious crash. One east bound vehicle had to travel into the opposite lane to avoid a crash.

The deputy then nudged his squad car into the driver’s side door of the Martinez vehicle to stop the Martinez vehicle. The Martinez vehicle came to a stop shortly after. Estimated speeds had been at 15 MPH at the time of the vehicle stopping.

Martinez displayed signs of impairment and admitted to the investigating Grant County Deputy that he had consumed alcohol while in Montfort. Martinez was placed under arrest for Operating While Impaired and Martinez did not possess a valid driver’s license. Martinez was transported to Grant Regional Health Center for a legal blood draw. At this time the case remains under further investigation. Other charges are pending with the outcome of the investigation. No injuries resulted from this incident.

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On August 12, at 1:41pm the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a vehicle that crashed into a playground at The Rustic Barn Campground located in Kieler. 85 year old, Donald Campbell, of  Ames IA, was in the process of unhooking his fifth wheel camper from his truck. Once the camper
was unhooked the truck started rolling away as it was in neutral. Donald attempted to get into the vehicle and stop it but was unsuccessful. As result
the vehicle crashed into a playground set located on the campground property. Campbell sustained minor injuries in the crash. The vehicle sustained minor front end damages. The playground was a total loss.