Jamestown Township, Wis. — A 45-year-old Iowa man is facing multiple citations after allegedly losing control of his vehicle, striking a guardrail on U.S. Highway 151, and fleeing the scene on foot as his SUV caught fire, authorities reported.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2026, at the northbound Exit 5 off-ramp in Jamestown Township, Grant County. According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded along with the Jamestown Fire Department, Jamestown First Responders, and Dickeyville EMS following reports of a vehicle that had struck the guardrail.

Witnesses told investigators that a 2017 Dodge Journey veered down an embankment after the initial impact, re-entered the roadway, continued under the overpass, and traveled several hundred yards onto Old Highway Road. The vehicle reportedly came to a stop perpendicular to the road and partially on the curb. Moments later, it began smoking and erupted into flames.

The driver exited the burning vehicle before the fire fully engulfed it and fled on foot through a nearby farm field, witnesses said. Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing further damage to the surrounding area.

Extensive Search and Identification

Deputies launched an immediate search for the driver, utilizing a K-9 unit that tracked the suspect’s scent for several miles through rural terrain. Despite the coordinated effort involving multiple agencies, the individual was not located that night.

Through further investigation, authorities identified the driver as Jimmy Martin, 45, of Clinton, Iowa. The following day, on July 9, contact was made with Martin, who confirmed he had been driving the vehicle and was not injured in the crash.

Martin was subsequently cited for:

•  Failure to notify police of an accident

•  Hit-and-run involving property adjacent to a highway

•  Failure to keep vehicle under control

No injuries were reported to the driver or any bystanders, and the incident resulted primarily in property damage to the guardrail and the vehicle itself.

Scene Assistance and Cleanup

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Jamestown Fire Department, Jamestown First Responders, Dickeyville EMS, and Donnie’s Tire and Auto of Dickeyville. The quick response by emergency personnel helped contain the vehicle fire and secure the area near the busy U.S. Highway 151 corridor.

Fleeing the scene of an accident, even one without injuries, carries legal consequences under Wisconsin law, including potential fines, license points, and in some cases, escalated charges if additional factors like impairment or reckless behavior are later identified. In this case, the citations focus on notification failures and loss of vehicle control rather than more serious offenses, suggesting the investigation determined no immediate evidence of intoxication or other aggravating factors.

Authorities have not released additional details about Martin’s condition at the time of the crash or potential contributing causes such as mechanical issues, weather, or driver error. The burned vehicle was removed from the scene, and traffic was not reported to have been significantly impacted beyond the immediate response period.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact authorities.