Buggy vs Van Crash Sunday Evening

Two people were air-lifted to a Madison hospital following a van vs buggy crash Sunday afternoon along Highway 81. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 4:30p, about 7 miles west of Darlington. According to the sheriff’s report, 39-year-old Matthew Westemeier of Platteville was driving west when he struck a single-horse, open buggy from behind. All three people in the buggy were thrown from the vehicle as it was pushed into the ditch. One person was taken by Med-Flight to Madison from the scene. Another person was initially taken to Southwest Health in Platteville and later air-lifted to UW Hospital. The third person riding in the buggy was treated at the scene. Westemeier was not hurt in the crash. The horse survived and was returned to its owner. Both vehicles were damaged and had to be towed from the scene. The crash remains under investigation.