Man sustains life-threatening injuries in Vernon County motorcycle accident

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a motorcycle crash that resulted in serious injuries. Late in the afternoon on September 15 the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a motorcycle crash on State Highway 162 north of the Village of Coon Valley, in the Town of Coon. Jeffrey Scot Kauffmann, 60 of rural La Crosse was operating a motorcycle traveling south when he struck a deer. The operator initially maintained control of the motorcycle after striking the animal, but while navigating a curve the motorcycle drifted right and appeared to have made glancing contact with the guardrail on the right side of the roadway before the motorcycle came to rest in the southbound lane.

Kauffmann sustained life-threatening injuries. Other motorists who stopped to help immediately performed critical lifesaving measures, providing essential care during those first critical minutes. First responders arrived quickly and, worked with those already on scene, continued that lifesaving care until paramedics arrived to provide advanced medical care. Jeffrey Kauffmann was transported by Emplify Health (Gundersen Health System) ground ambulance from the scene to an open area along County Road N, just inside La Crosse County, where an Emplify Health air medical helicopter had landed. Kauffmann was flown to Emplify Health in La Crosse.

Also at the scene with the Sheriff’s Office were the Coon Valley First Responders and Coon Valley Fire Department. The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office assisted with a full closure of the highway until approximately 6:00 PM. The operator was wearing a full-face helmet, long pants and eye protection at the time of the crash. Although he sustained serious injuries, the use of appropriate protective equipment was an important safety measure and likely helped reduce the potential for further injury. The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.