UPDATE: Chaseburg post office temporarily closed after driver suffers fatal medical condition, damages building

CHASEBURG, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that on Saturday, September 2, at about 1:30 p.m., the 911 Dispatch Center received a report that a vehicle had struck the post office in Chaseburg, and the operator of the vehicle was unresponsive.

The report states that Charles William Oldenburg, 67, of Chaseburg was driving north on Swain Street, which is also State Highway 162, and suffered a major medical event. The vehicle went off a ninety-degree curve and struck the front of the post office.

Sheriff Torgerson says extensive life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and Charles Oldenburg was pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.

Responding to the scene along with the Sheriff’s Office were the Coon Valley Fire Department, Coon Valley First Responders, Coon Valley Police Department, and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance.

Sheriff Torgerson reports community members stepped in the help with the building damage and emergency situation.

“A rock-solid, caring community came together and boarded up the front of the building for safety reasons, said Torgerson. “With the extreme heat on Saturday, the community was there to make sure emergency personnel had plenty of water for hydration. My heart goes out to the Oldenburg family at this very difficult time.”

Torgerson said no mail was been damaged but the damage to the building, located at 303 Depot St, was significant enough that the post office had to be closed. Arrangements are being made for postal customers so service is not interrupted. No timetable has yet to be established for the resumption of retail service. Village of Chaseburg postal customers may pick up mail, packages, and Post Office Box mail at the Coon Valley Post Office, 507 Central Ave, Coon Valley,. The Coon Valley Post Office is open for all retail transactions Monday thru Friday from 7:45 a.m. to noon., 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.

Information about alternate collection box locations, collection times, and postal products, and services can be found online at www.usps.com.