Bales lost from trailer cause crash

One motorist and his passenger escaped injury from a crash in which they hit a round bale on Highway 18 in Wyalusing Township, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department. The party responsible for the loose hay bale was also cited after the accident. 

On Feb. 21, at about 7:30 p.m., the sheriff’s department was notified of round bales on Highway 18 near Fuller Hollow Road and that one vehicle had struck the bales. After investigation, law enforcement found that Casey Caley, 33, of Viroqua was operating a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 westbound on Highway 18 and towing a flatbed trailer containing 14 round bales of hay. Three bales on the rear of the trailer shifted, came lose from the straps, and fell off onto the roadway. Caley realized he had lost part of the load and pulled over, along with a motorist who was following behind. Caley and this motorist attempted to slow eastbound traffic and contact the sheriff’s department. 

Several minutes after the bales fell onto the road, Daniel Bauer, 53, of Prairie du Chien, was operating his 2006 Chrysler Town and Country van westbound on Highway 18. He negotiated a slight corner and came upon loose hay in the roadway. Bauer began to brake, but struck a bale in the road that was still mostly intact. According to the sheriff’s department, Bauer’s vehicle sustained moderate front end damage and both front air bags deployed. He and his passenger, Peggy Bauer, were not injured in the crash.

A Grant County Highway Department employee remove the hay from the roadway using a plow on his personal vehicle. Caley was cited for failure to properly secure a load and Bauer was cited for failure to wear a seat belt. 

The Bloomington Fire Department and Milo’s Towing, of Prairie du Chien, assisted at the scene.