Posted: Sunday, August 19, 2012 -- 8:32 a.m.
Information from Rock County Sheriff's Office:
On 08-18-12 at 10:22 pm Deputies from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the Janesville Fire Department responded to a two vehicle crash at Hwy 11 just west of Janesville.
Deputies began arriving on scene at 10:30 pm and noticed a white Chevy Impala sitting in the intersection with flames coming from the engine compartment. The second vehicle, a silver Kia Optima was east of the intersection on the north side of the road. Janesville Fire arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The driver of Impala was extricated from the vehicle and transported to UW Hospital in Madison by Med Flight.
The second vehicle was occupied by four subjects three of which were transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Janesville. The fourth subject was pronounced dead at the scene by the Rock County Coroner’s Office.
The preliminary investigation shows that the Impala, operated by Tara Carlson, 39 from Janesville, was heading northbound on W. STH 11 and failed to stop at a stop sign. After going through the stop sign, the Impala impacted the Kia that was operated by Randall J. Owens, a 64 year old from Footville. The other surviving occupants of the Kia were identified as Ellen R. Owens, a 56 year old from Footville, and Ruth A. Coyle, a 57 year old female from Chicago, IL. The subject that was pronounced deceased at the scene has been identified as James M. Menard, a 64 year old from Chicago.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office reconstruction team was called to the scene to assist with the traffic crash investigation. Though the accident remains under investigation, Tara Carlson has been arrested for 1 count of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and 3 counts of causing injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Mr. and Mrs. Owens along with Coyle were all treated and released from Mercy Hospital.
Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
