Motorcyclist cited for OWI following crash in Grant County

On Monday at 6:45pm, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a motorcycle crash with injuries, on Town Hall Rd., in Lima Township. Platteville Fire Department and Southwest Health EMS were dispatched to the scene along with a Deputy from the Sheriff’s Office and a Wisconsin State Trooper. When officers arrived, they learned 69-year-old Christopher Bartels of rural Platteville was northbound on County D on his motorcycle. Bartels turned east onto Town Hall Rd, where he lost control of the motorcycle while negotiating the turn. As a result, the motorcycle slid onto it’s side and crashed into the surface of the roadway. A passerby who came upon the crash and found Bartels unresponsive lying next to his motorcycle in the grass, and reported he was not wearing a helmet. Bartels ended up regaining consciousness, and was able to speak to emergency personnel. UW Med-Flight was requested and responded directly to the scene. Bartels was transported by Med-Flight to UW-Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Bartels was cited for OWI 1st offense and failure to maintain control. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Southwest Health EMS, Platteville Fire, and UW Med-Flight. This incident remains under investigation.