AUBURN (NBC 26) — UPDATE: A 43-year-old West Bend man has been located after authorities say he crashed a vehicle into a Fond du Lac County home Saturday night and left the scene.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called at about 8:44 p.m. Sept. 5 to the area of Highway 45 and Highway 67 in the Town of Auburn for a report of a vehicle that had struck a residence.
The caller told dispatchers they did not witness the crash but heard it happen.
When deputies arrived, they found the vehicle and the home unoccupied. Authorities used a K9 unit and a drone to search for the driver, but those efforts were unsuccessful Saturday night.
A preliminary investigation found the vehicle was traveling northbound on Highway 67 when it failed to negotiate a curve, crossed left of center and failed to stop at the stop sign at Highway 45. Investigators say the vehicle then crossed Highway 45 and struck the home adjacent to the highway.
Speed and inattentive driving are believed to have been factors in the crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies also contacted relatives of the presumed driver in an effort to locate him.
The homeowners later arrived at the scene and confirmed no one was inside the residence at the time of the crash. A family pet inside the home suffered minor injuries.
Authorities initially estimated the damage to the home at about $15,000. An updated estimate later increased the damage total to approximately $50,000.
The sheriff’s office said the driver was located by a relative at about 9:15 a.m. Sunday. The man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Authorities say he is cooperating with law enforcement and will be issued multiple traffic citations related to the crash.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Campbellsport Police Department, Kewaskum Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and Campbellsport Fire/EMS.
INITIAL REPORTING:
Authorities are searching for a suspect after a vehicle crashed into a home Saturday night near the intersection of Highway 45 and Highway 67 in the Township of Auburn.
The Fond du Lac County Communications Center received a report of the crash at 8:44 p.m. According to the caller, the crash was not witnessed, but the sound of the impact was heard.
When deputies arrived, both the vehicle and the home were found unoccupied. Authorities searched for the driver using a K9 unit and drone, but were unable to locate anyone connected to the crash.
Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle was traveling northbound on Highway 67 when it failed to navigate a curve, did not stop at a stop sign, then crossed Highway 45 and struck the house. Officials believe speed and inattentive driving were contributing factors.
The homeowners later arrived at the scene and told investigators no one was inside the residence when the crash occurred. A family pet inside the house suffered minor injuries. The family estimates damage to the home at approximately $15,000.
Authorities said they believe they know who was driving the vehicle and will continue follow-up investigation into the incident.
