Columbus, WI – A 37-year-old Cedarburg man suffered serious injuries after his motorcycle struck a deer early Sunday morning near Columbus, prompting a two-hour highway closure, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday, July 12, 2026, in the Town of Elba along State Highway 16/60, about 1½ miles east of the City of Columbus.
Investigators said the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound when the motorcycle struck a deer that had entered the roadway. The rider, who was the only occupant of the motorcycle, was ejected during the crash.
Authorities said the man sustained serious injuries and was flown from the scene by UW Med Flight to UW Hospital in Madison for treatment.
The sheriff’s office reported the rider was not wearing a helmet, and investigators believe the lack of a helmet was a significant factor in the severity of his injuries.
Emergency crews from the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department, Lifestar EMS, and UW Med Flight assisted at the scene.
State Highway 16/60 remained closed for approximately two hours while first responders treated the victim and investigators documented the crash scene.
The crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
