Wrong-way driver on Highway 51 crashes into sheriff’s squad, injuring two

An 80-year-old Grafton man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving the wrong way on Highway 51 in Lincoln County and crashing into an occupied sheriff’s squad car and another vehicle.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says its 911 dispatch center received multiple calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 51. A deputy located the vehicle near mile marker 225 in the Town of Skanawan and attempted to stop it. According to the sheriff’s office, the driver continued southbound despite the deputy’s emergency lights and siren. The deputy considered using a pursuit intervention technique but determined it could not be done safely because of traffic and the location.

The sheriff’s office says a patrol lieutenant then deliberately maneuvered an occupied squad car into the path of the wrong-way vehicle in an effort to stop the threat to other motorists. The suspect vehicle struck the patrol car and a civilian vehicle. The civilian driver and the lieutenant both suffered suspected injuries. The patrol car sustained extensive damage.

The driver was identified as Rory Hofmann, 80, of Grafton. He was taken into custody and is expected to face charges of second-offense operating while intoxicated causing injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and resisting or failing to stop and fleeing. He was also issued multiple traffic citations.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the crash reports. The charges are allegations, and Hofmann is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.