GRANT COUNTY, Wis. — On September 20, 2026, at approximately 12:14 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash with injuries on Highway 81 just north of Debuhr Lane in Smelser Township.

Deputies determined that Jaime Bhattascharyya, 49, of Platteville, was stopped in the southbound lane of traffic in her 2020 Hyundai while waiting to make a left turn into a driveway. She had two juvenile passengers in the vehicle. A witness confirmed that Bhattascharyya’s left turn signal was activated.

Lucas Jansen, 22, of Benton, was also traveling south on Highway 81 in his 2005 Honda Accord. Jansen told investigators he had been distracted by his radio and did not notice the stopped vehicle ahead. He attempted to swerve to avoid a collision but struck the rear of Bhattascharyya’s Hyundai.

Bhattascharyya was not injured. Her two juvenile passengers were transported to Southwest Health Center in Platteville for evaluation of suspected minor injuries. Jansen was trapped in his vehicle and required extrication. He was also taken to Southwest Health Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene by Donnies Tire and Tow and RIPPS Towing Service. The Platteville Fire Department and Southwest Health EMS assisted the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.