Grant County crash claims life on Sunday, 4th fatality of the year

On Sunday, at 2:37 AM, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a one vehicle rollover crash with injuries, on County Highway A near Buckwheat Ridge Rd., in Ellenboro Township. 

Along with deputies, first responders from the Platteville Fire Department and Southwest Health EMS were dispatched to the scene.

When deputies arrived on scene, they learned a 2007 Ford F350, operated by 17yr old Christopher Brandemuehl, of rural Lancaster, and his passenger 26yr old Katy Schaefer, of Montfort, were traveling eastbound on CTH A. Brandemuehl’s vehicle hit the edge of the roadway to the south before crossing the center line and entering the ditch on the north side of CTH A. 

The vehicle struck an embankment and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on the driver’s side.  Both Brandemuehl and Schaefer were ejected from the vehicle. Brandemuehl was transported by AirCare3 to UW-Hospital in Madison for treatment of critical injuries, and Schafer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. As a result of the investigation, CTH A was shut down in both directions for approximately 7 hours.

The incident remains under investigation.

This was Grant County’s fourth fatal crash of 2026.