Morris Man Crashes SUV Twice Before It Catches Fire In WI: Police

GRANT COUNTY, WI — A Morris man was injured in connection with two crashes and a vehicle fire that occurred while he was intoxicated in Wisconsin, according to police.

Brandon Phelps, 22, was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run and operating while intoxicated, as well as cited for speeding, following too close and driving left of center, police said.

Authorities responded around 6 a.m. Sunday to a report of a hit-and-run crash on Highway 81 in Ellenboro Township, according to police, who said the victim, who was not hurt, told law enforcement the offending SUV didn’t stop and instead sped away.

A Grant County sheriff’s deputy found the SUV in a ditch on fire at a roundabout on Highway 81 in South Lancaster Township, police said, adding Phelps had failed to slow his westbound 2006 Lexus RX for the roundabout, causing the vehicle to knock down a light pole and come to rest in a ditch, where it caught fire.

Phelps suffered minor injuries, and was treated at a nearby hospital and booked into county jail, according to police.