Brodhead teen seriously injured in single-car crash
A 16-year-old faces two counts of causing bodily harm by reckless driving after a single-car crash.
At 9:12 p.m. Saturday, officers were called to a car versus tree accident on South Dickey Road just north of West Keesey Road in Spring Valley Township, according to a press release from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigation showed that a 1997 Saturn driven by William R. Romanski, 16, Brodhead was southbound on South Dickey Road when he lost control of the car while negotiating a curve.
Yaw marks on the road show the car slid sideways for 189 feet before entering the north shoulder and going into the ditch.
The Saturn then went airborne, wedging itself sideways between two trees with the driver’s side down.
Two passengers, a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old, were able to free themselves.
They were transported to a local hospital and treated and released.
Romanski was extricated from the car by the Orfordville Fire Department. He was flown to Rockford Memorial Hospital.
A condition report was not available Sunday.
Romanski will be charged with two counts of causing bodily harm by reckless driving and violation of seatbelt laws.
The 13-year-old was wearing a seatbelt, but 16-year-old passenger was not and will be cited for violating seatbelt laws.
Speed and failure to have control of the vehicle are contributing factors with this crash; alcohol is not a factor.
Traffic was closed on South Dickey Road for about two hours while officers worked at the scene.
Apr 14, 2009 at 12:07 a.m.
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red, the software probably put it here. Isnt the first time thats happened to the cheap software they use here.
Apr 13, 2009 at 9:41 a.m.
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dw--do you really think Gazette editors sit around and place these comments all day? I'm pretty sure the comments just post to the article the writer is currently in...so most likely a user error. A little quick to place blame?
Apr 13, 2009 at 9:40 a.m.
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a new driver can only have 1 non family member in the vehicle along with that they are allowed as many immediate family members and it is for the 1st 9 months.
Apr 12, 2009 at 7:31 p.m.
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I was speaking of my previous comment that was mis-posted.
Apr 12, 2009 at 7:16 p.m.
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dw Why is this in the wrong place? It's news and needs to be reported.
Apr 12, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.
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I believe the Graduated Driver Law only allows one passenger for the first year (it's either 9 months or a year) after you get your license.
Apr 12, 2009 at 6:07 p.m.
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we've all been young and reckless - don't deny it. I just hope he's ok.
Apr 12, 2009 at 5:13 p.m.
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Just one more instance to support no drivers license until the age of 18.
Apr 12, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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Boy, did the Gazette post this in the wrong place! Way to go, editors.
Apr 12, 2009 at 4:44 p.m.
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Way to go, Russ! I, for one, agree with you. Children, and grandchildren, are very impressionable. Russ is not censoring to elimination, just attempting to get responsible cooperation, so that adult material is regulated as just that. What is so bad about this that has some of you over-reacting? Or, is it just that you dislike Mr. Steeber because he is an officer?
Apr 12, 2009 at 3:32 p.m.
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Well, Trust me, He won't be driving for awhile now I'm sure. They normally take away your license for violations like this when your sixteen now. Kids have no respect for what they learn in drivers education about speed. Speed kills!
Apr 12, 2009 at 3:27 p.m.
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189 feet of yaw skidmarks? Sounds like someone was out trying to drift and had no idea what he was doing. Kids lucky he didnt kill himself or anyone else. Also I thought at 16 they can only have 1 friend in the car due to graduated drivers licensing setup.
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