Two Vehicle Crash / OWI Arrest

LOn December 27, 2021 at approximately 5:15pm the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two vehicle crash on northbound Hwy 151 near the McAdams Rd overpass located in the Township of Paris. Benjamin Fox, age 27 from Dubuque IA, was traveling north bound in his 2021 Ram pickup truck. Fox was in the fast lane passing another vehicle. That vehicle was a 2002 Chevy Malibu driven by Jerry Lee, age 31 from rural Platteville.

Both vehicles sustained minor damages at the point of impact. Upon investigation of the crash K9 Riggs was deployed and alerted to the odor of drugs in Lee’s vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle further drug evidence was located inside. Lee was discovered to be under the influence of marijuana and he was arrested for OWI, first offense. Lee was also cited for an unsafe lane change. Formal charges are pending.

Both vehicles were approaching a slower moving semi in the slow lane. Lee merged into the fast lane to pass the semi but did not see Fox’s vehicle. The rear driver’s side of Lee’s vehicle struck the front passenger side of Fox’s vehicle. Both vehicles were able to safely pull to the side of the highway and there were no injuries reported.

Persons arrested/or referred charges by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. An arrest is only an indication that probable cause exists to bring formal charges. The names of victims and witnesses to a crime have been withheld in accordance with §950.04.