A 60-year-old motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries on Sept. 15 after striking a deer and crashing on State Highway 162 north of Coon Valley, according to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office. Jeffrey Scot Kauffmann of rural La Crosse was riding a 2007 Honda VTX 1800 southbound when the collision occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Crash Details on State Highway 162
Kauffmann initially maintained control of the motorcycle after hitting the deer. However, the bike drifted to the right while navigating a curve on the highway. The vehicle appeared to make glancing contact with a guardrail before coming to rest in the southbound lane.
Other motorists stopped at the scene immediately to perform critical lifesaving measures before emergency responders arrived. Paramedics continued that medical care when they reached the crash site. Local agencies, including the Coon Valley First Responders, Coon Valley Fire Department, and the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, assisted with the emergency response. State Highway 162 was fully closed to traffic until approximately 6 p.m.
Emergency Air Medical Transport
First responders transported Kauffmann by an Emplify Health ground ambulance to an open area located along County Road N in La Crosse County. An air medical helicopter had landed at that location to receive the patient. The flight crew airlifted Kauffmann to Emplify Health in La Crosse for treatment of his life-threatening injuries.
Role of Protective Gear
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson stated that Kauffmann was wearing a full-face helmet, long pants, and eye protection at the time of the crash. According to Sheriff Torgerson, this protective equipment likely helped reduce the potential for further injury during the impact.
The incident remains under active investigation by the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office.
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