Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Reports: July 13-Aug. 2, 2026

07-13-26
Deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash with injuries in the area of USH 51 and Nibler Rd. in the town of King. The driver, a 23-year-old man from Eagle River, Wis., said he was driving north on USH 51 when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. He was unsure whether he struck anything and sustained a head injury.
Deputies also responded to a two-vehicle crash with injuries in the area of STH 17 and Prairie Dr. in the town of Russell. Investigators determined the driver of the first vehicle was making a U-turn on STH 17 at Prairie Dr. into the path of a second vehicle traveling south on STH 17. The second driver could not stop in time and struck the first vehicle in a T-bone collision. Both drivers sustained unknown injuries.

07-19-26
A deputy on a specialized traffic safety patrol observed a vehicle traveling east on STH 64 and 107 near Joe Snow Rd. in the town of Corning at a high rate of speed. Radar clocked the vehicle at 105 mph, locking in at 102 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver, Anthony Zelms of Tomahawk, Wis., was argumentative with the deputy and unable to provide identification. He was later identified by his sister-in-law, who owns the vehicle. Zelms was cited for driving 45 mph over the speed limit and for not having identification while driving, and was released once identified.

07-25-26
Deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash with injuries in the area of North Star Dr. and Swede Rd. in the town of Rock Falls. The driver, a 17-year-old male from Irma, Wis., had been traveling east on North Star Dr. when he drifted into the north ditch, struck a culvert and became airborne. The vehicle then hit a utility pole and rolled onto its side. The driver sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment.
The sheriff’s office also responded to a driving complaint of a vehicle driving erratically. A deputy located the vehicle and stopped it for the reported driving behavior and for not having license plates. The driver, Ripley Sartain of Arpin, Wis., admitted to being intoxicated, and the deputy observed signs of impairment. Sartain refused to perform sobriety tests and was arrested for a second offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI). He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail.
A deputy on patrol also stopped a vehicle traveling on CTH U near Taylor Ln. in the town of Bradley after observing suspicious driving behavior. The driver, Dawn Dahl of Prentice, Wis., showed signs of impairment and agreed to perform sobriety tests. Dahl was arrested for a first offense of OWI and later released to a responsible party.

07-26-26

A deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle traveling on South Tomahawk Ave. near Southgate Dr. in the city of Tomahawk for operating after dark without working taillights. The driver, Lucas Johnson of Sun Prairie, Wis., showed signs of impairment and agreed to perform sobriety tests. Johnson was arrested for a first offense of OWI and later released to a responsible party.
The 911 center received a report of a motorcycle-versus-deer crash with injuries on CTH X near CTH C in the town of Schley. The motorcycle’s driver, Scottie Wenzlick of Merrill, said he struck a deer while riding. He reported minor injuries but refused medical attention. The deer ran off after being struck.
The sheriff’s office also responded to a two-vehicle crash in which one driver was critically injured. Additional details on that crash were released separately.

07-29-26
Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in progress at an address on CTH JJ in the town of Rock Falls. The victim told deputies they had been choked and thrown around by the suspect. While the victim was speaking with deputies, the suspect fled out the back door of the residence. Deputies will forward a report to the district attorney requesting charges of disorderly conduct and strangulation. The victim was taken to a safe location for the night.

A deputy on patrol also stopped a vehicle with expired registration on East River St. and N. Fourth St. in the city of Tomahawk. The driver, Kelly Menore of Milwaukee, showed signs of impairment and agreed to perform sobriety tests. Menore was arrested for a first offense of OWI and later released to a responsible party.

08-01-26
A deputy on patrol stopped a UTV traveling 64 mph in a 35 mph zone on CTH C near Norwegian Rd. in the town of Merrill. The driver, Mark Henry of Merrill, showed signs of impairment and refused to perform sobriety tests. He was arrested for operating a UTV while intoxicated. A deputy obtained a warrant to collect a blood sample; Henry was initially uncooperative but complied after being told he would face additional charges. He was later released to a responsible party.

Over this three-week period, deputies conducted approximately 101 traffic stops and 91 security checks, and responded to 13 car-vs-deer crashes, one car-vs-bear crash and one car-vs-coyote crash.