WASHINGTON COUNTY (WITI) -- Washington County Sheriff's officials say a 26-year-old Newburg man is in critical condition after a one-vehicle crash in the Town of Farmington on Thursday afternoon, April 17th.
It happened just around 1:30 p.m. on Jay Road, east of Fillmore Road.
Sheriff's officials say evidence at the scene indicates that the man was traveling westbound on Jay Road when he lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway.
The road is located in a swampy area and portions of the roadway were covered with water as a result of the recent flooding.
The roadway was covered with approximately one inch of water across both lanes in the area where the accident occurred. The roadway had been posted with cautionary signs for high water by the township.
The vehicle skidded out of control and entered the eastbound ditch line where it overturned and came to rest upside down, partially submerged in the North Branch of the Milwaukee River.
The man was believed to have been returning home from his place of employment in Random Lake when the accident occurred.
The Fillmore Fire Department responded to the scene, assisted by Newburg Rescue and West Bend Intercept.
Rescue personnel were able to right the vehicle with a winch and then extricated the man from his vehicle and began resuscitation efforts.
Based on the investigation, it is believed that the vehicle may have been submerged in the river for up to five minutes before it was discovered.
At this time the extent of the man's physical injuries from the accident is unknown.
The Washington County Dive Team responded to the scene and conducted a search of the river to confirm other occupants had not been in the vehicle. It was confirmed that the man was alone in the vehicle.
The man was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital by Newburg Rescue where he was subsequently transferred to Froedtert Hospital via Flight for Life.
He remains in critical condition.