On Saturday, August 13, 2022, at approximately 6:21 pm, a Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy and a City of Fennimore Police Officer responded to the area of Highway 18 and County Road G in the Township of Wingville for a reported crash between an Iowa County Deputy and another vehicle.

An Iowa County Sheriff’s Deputy had been traveling eastbound on Highway 18 in Grant County near old Hwy 18. The Iowa County Deputy was in Grant County for another matter and was operating a fully marked black, 2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor.

At the same time, Honorio Tlehuactle Martinez, age 28 of Lancaster, Wisconsin, was traveling westbound on Highway 18. Martinez was operating a red 2013, Honda Pilot. Martinez crossed the center line and nearly sideswiped the Iowa County Deputy, and was at one point traveling westbound in the eastbound lane.

The Iowa County Deputy then observed Martinez traveling over the center line once he was passed him. The Iowa County Deputy turned from his direction of travel and turned into the westbound lane of Highway 18. The Iowa County Deputy observed the Martinez vehicle again traveling into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lane. The Martinez vehicle then weaved back into the westbound lane.

The Iowa County Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, and the Martinez vehicle continued traveling back into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lane at approximately 30 mph. The suspect vehicle met a line of 5 vehicles and slowed to 15-20 miles per hour, still traveling into oncoming traffic. The Iowa County Deputy made the decision that based on the dangerous driving behavior of the driver, he would need to stop the vehicle before it caused a serious crash. One eastbound vehicle had to travel into the opposite lane to avoid a crash.
The deputy then nudged his squad car into the driver’s side door of the Martinez vehicle to stop the Martinez vehicle. The Martinez vehicle came to a stop shortly after. Estimated speeds had been at 15 MPH at the time of the vehicle stopping.

Martinez displayed signs of impairment and admitted to the investigating Grant County Deputy that he had consumed alcohol while in Montfort. Martinez was placed arrested for Operating While Impaired, 1st Offense. Martinez did not possess a valid driver’s license. Martinez was transported to Grant Regional Health Center for a legal blood draw.

At this time, the case remains under further investigation. Other charges are pending with the outcome of the investigation. No injuries resulted from this incident. Assisting on scene were the Fennimore Police Department, Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, Montfort Fire Department, Doan’s Towing of Fennimore, and Grant Regional Health Center.

Persons arrested/or referred to 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.