June 2nd, 2025

LANCASTER, WI – On May 31, 2025, at approximately 11:19 a.m., a crash involving three motorcycles occurred on Highway 81 near Aupperle Rd in the Township of South Lancaster, during a charity ride. A large group of motorcyclists traveling east encountered roadway conditions that forced the front riders to slow suddenly, causing a bottleneck effect.

Juan Solis, 48, of Deforest, WI, riding a 1995 Harley Davidson, Jacob Kerns, 42, of Madison, WI, on a 2017 Harley Davidson, and Wayne Bloedow, 64, of Viroqua, WI, on a 2006 Harley Davidson, swerved to avoid collisions with other riders. All three lost control, veered off the roadway, and crashed in a ditch. The riders sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to area hospitals.

Highway 81 was closed for approximately 20 minutes between the Lancaster roundabout and Ellenboro. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by Lancaster Police Department, Lancaster EMS, Lancaster Fire Department, and Southwest Health EMS, responded to the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.