Posted: Sunday, February 21, 2010 --- 3:18 a.m.

Release from Rock County Sheriff's Department:

On February 20, 2010 at 9:51PM, deputies from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office along with Janesville Fire and Paramedics responded to a car versus tree crash on W. Happy Hollow road approximately two-tenths of a mile east of S. River Road. This traffic crash occurred in the Town of Rock, about 2.1 miles south from the City of Janesville. Units began to arrive on scene at 9:53PM and remained at the incident location until 10:55PM.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Joseph B. Mooney, age 47, Janesville, WI, was westbound on W. Happy Hollow road when he lost control of the car while attempting to navigate a left curve. The vehicle traveled onto the north shoulder of the road, entered the north ditch, and subsequently struck a tree approximately 20 feet off the road. Estimated distance traveled by the vehicle upon leaving the road until striking the tree is 180.9 feet.

Mooney sustained incapacitating injuries to his mid and lower torso. Mooney’s passenger, Rance J. Gehri, age 51, also from Janesville, WI, had to be extricated from the vehicle. Rance sustained incapacitating injuries as well to his mid and lower torso. Mooney and Rance were transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital and admitted for their non-life threatening injuries. Both individuals were not wearing seatbelts.

Joseph B. Mooney was arrested for Causing Great Bodily Harm by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle, Operating M/V while Intoxicated-5th offense, Driving to Fast for Conditions, Operating after Revocation-Causing Injury, and Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

Rance J. Gehri was issued a citation for Failure to Wear Seatbelt.