Aug. 31, 2025
HILLSBORO, Wis. — A 20-year-old man was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle into an unoccupied building in Hillsboro, authorities said.
The Hillsboro Police Department and Vernon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the single-vehicle crash around 2:43 a.m. on the 1200 block of High Avenue, according to Chief Patrick Clark. The incident was initially reported through an automated crash detection system, followed by a call from a man who said his friend had crashed a stolen vehicle but was unsure of the location or the driver’s identity.
Emergency crews from the Hillsboro Fire Department located a white SUV at 3:20 a.m. near the intersection of High Avenue and Darcy Drive. The vehicle had sustained significant damage and had struck an unoccupied structure, police said.
Officers identified two males walking near the crash site who matched descriptions provided earlier. One was a known juvenile. The other, who initially refused to identify himself, was later confirmed to be Evan D. Harrison of rural Wonewoc.
Investigators said evidence at the scene linked Harrison to the theft and crash of the vehicle. He was taken into custody and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center on charges of criminal damage to property, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, reckless driving, and operating while under the influence. A probation hold was also placed on Harrison by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
No injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed through the Vernon County District Attorney’s Office.
Responding agencies included the Hillsboro Area Fire Department, Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service, Peterson Towing, and Alliant Energy.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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