Weekend Crashes: One Driver Flees

April 13, 2009
Contact: Elise Schaffer, PIO Phone: (608) 284-6142 Email: schaffer@co.dane.wi.us
Sheriff's Office

On Saturday April 11th at approximately 5:25 pm Dane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash on Balzer Road and Pheasant Branch Road in the town of Springfield. Joseph N. Lynn, age 26 of Madison, was traveling east on Balzer Road when he drifted off the roadway and hit some boulders and trees. Lynn was found outside his vehicle and was dragged to safety by three passers by as his car started on fire. Lynn was transported by Med-Flight to UW Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, however, speed and/or alcohol do not appear to be factors. On Sunday April 12th at approximately 11:40 pm, Dane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on CTH D and Frenchtown Road in the town of Oregon. The driver of a white Nissan Sentra, believed to be Diana K. Guter, age 44, was traveling north on CTH D when she crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Taurus, driven by Jennifer L. Walters, age 29 of Belleville. Guter fled the crash scene on foot prior to the arrival of deputies. Vehicle damage indicated that Guter may have struck the windshield in the crash, and a search of the area was conducted with the assistance of Mt. Horeb Police and their K9. Guter was not located, and it appears that she has no permanent address. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to call 911. Jennifer Walters received only minor injuries in the crash, and was not transported to the hospital. Update: Diane K. Gruter (spelling correction) has been in contact with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and she is no longer being sought.