Lake Mills man charged in New Year’s Day crash

Published 10:01 pm Friday, December 13, 2019

A 20-year-old Lake Mills man was charged in Winnebago County District Court this week with eight counts tied to a head-on crash early New Year’s Day that injured 10 people near Forest City.

Michael Olsen

Michael Scott Olsen is facing six counts of serious injury by vehicle, one count of operating under the influence, a first offense, and one count of marijuana possession, a second offense.

Court documents state Olsen was traveling southbound in a 2010 Dodge Ram at 2:21 a.m. Jan. 1 on 120th Street about a half mile south of 360th Street, when his vehicle struck a 2004 Grand Prix, carrying eight occupants.

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Upon further investigation, Olsen was found to reportedly be under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Court documents state a deputy who arrived at the crash could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the pickup and found a bag of a green leafy substance in the center console of the truck. The green leafy substance was in a glass jar and a plastic baggy.

The 10 injured ranged from 18 to 22 years of age, and none were wearing their seat belts, according to investigators after the crash.

Olsen was arrested on a warrant Wednesday, and he was released on his promise to appear after posting bond Friday.