Driver faces charges after crashing into house in Eastman

March 17, 2026

Village of Eastman — On Sunday, March 15, 2026, at about 7:51 p.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a traffic crash at N. Main Street and Coffin Street in the Village of Eastman.

John Miller, 19, of Gilman, Wisconsin, was driving southbound on N. Main Street when he lost control of his sport utility vehicle on a curve. Miller crossed the centerline and struck the front driver’s side of a northbound sport utility vehicle driven by Patrick Wall, 50, of Eastman.

Due to the impact, Wall’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a residence. Wall was extricated from the vehicle and sustained severe injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Crossing Rivers Health.

Weather and road conditions at the time of the crash were poor, with the street icy and snow-covered. Law enforcement officers investigating the crash determined Miller was traveling at a very high rate of speed in the 25 mph zone.

Miller was arrested and taken to the Crawford County Jail on a charge of reckless driving causing great bodily harm. He was also cited for driving too fast for conditions.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Eastman First Responders, the Eastman Fire Department, Gundersen Ambulance, the Crawford County Highway Department, Crossing Rivers Health and Milo’s Towing Service.