22nd Ave and Highwas E (Photo by Incident Response)
SOMERS, Wis. — A 31-year-old Racine man with a previous operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest is facing a felony allegation after a violent three-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Somers left multiple people injured, including at least one person who was unconscious and had to be extricated from a vehicle. Austin Joseph Ishman, 31, of Racine, was taken into custody by Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies late Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following the crash at County Highway E (12th Street) and County Highway Y (22nd Avenue). Ishman was booked into the Kenosha County Jail early Wednesday morning on suspicion of felony injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, OWI causing injury, second-offense OWI, and several additional offenses.
The violent collision occurred shortly after 10:15 p.m. Tuesday. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records show the initial call was created at 10:17:03 p.m., with deputies and emergency medical personnel dispatched to the intersection several minutes later. The incident was assigned report number 2026-00345959, and the crash ultimately prompted a response from the Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT).
Initial reports to dispatchers indicated that two vehicles were involved and two people were injured, including one who was unconscious. Moments later, dispatchers corrected the information to indicate that three vehicles were involved. Emergency personnel initially received alarming information that the unconscious victim might not be breathing, although subsequent radio traffic indicated the victim had a pulse.
By 10:26 p.m., Somers emergency responders had arrived and confirmed that all three vehicles had sustained heavy damage. Fire personnel established a triage operation to assess and treat the injured, while additional ambulances were requested from neighboring departments. One victim required extrication from a vehicle, and several emergency responders worked to secure the scene and care for those involved.
The crash involved a white pickup truck with extensive front-end damage and a Kia that sustained major damage, including damage to its roof. Photographs taken at the scene showed the aftermath of the collision, which required a substantial emergency response involving the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Somers Fire and Rescue, the Kenosha Fire Department, South Shore Fire Department from Racine County, and other responding personnel.
As the seriousness of the crash became apparent, dispatchers requested additional ambulances, including assistance from the City of Kenosha and South Shore. Radio traffic confirms that injured patients were transported to Froedtert South–St. Catherine’s Medical Center in Pleasant Prairie, with deputies following ambulances to the hospital. At least two ambulances were documented transporting patients, although the total number of injured people and the severity of each person’s injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Deputies also began shutting down surrounding roads to protect emergency workers and allow investigators to examine the crash scene. Southbound traffic was blocked near County Highway A, while another deputy was assigned to prevent eastbound traffic on Highway E at 20th Avenue. The closures allowed emergency vehicles and crash investigators to work at the intersection.
During the investigation, a deputy provided dispatchers with Ishman’s identifying information, including his December 17, 1994, date of birth. Dispatchers subsequently advised that Ishman had an outstanding warrant associated with a non-felony state law matter and contempt of court. The radio traffic also included a warning associated with his criminal history.
At approximately 11:39 p.m., a deputy advised dispatchers that Ishman had been taken into custody. Dispatchers acknowledged the arrest and confirmed an outstanding warrant associated with Ishman, referencing a 180-day period. Ishman was subsequently booked into the Kenosha County Jail at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, November 11.
The Sheriff’s Office inmate records list six offenses associated with his latest arrest. They include felony injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, OWI causing injury with a second or subsequent offense designation, second-offense OWI, misdemeanor possession of marijuana (THC), operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and contempt of court for disobeying a court order.
The felony allegation is particularly serious because it involves an accusation that an impaired driver caused bodily injury while operating a motor vehicle. Wisconsin’s OWI laws apply to impairment caused by alcohol, controlled substances, or other drugs. Although marijuana possession was among Ishman’s listed offenses, authorities have not yet publicly established whether alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances allegedly contributed to the collision.
Ishman is no stranger to OWI allegations. Kenosha County Jail records show he was previously arrested by the Kenosha Police Department on June 10, 2023, at approximately 3:10 a.m. That arrest included allegations of first-offense OWI, operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, operating while suspended, two counts of failing to stop at stop signs, operating without insurance, and unnecessary vehicle noise.
The 2023 booking records indicate Ishman was released approximately two hours after being booked, at 5:27 a.m. The records do not establish the final disposition of those offenses or confirm whether he was convicted. However, his latest arrest is expressly classified by the Sheriff’s Office as a second-offense OWI, indicating authorities are treating the new allegation as involving a prior qualifying offense.
The Sheriff’s Office’s latest booking record also lists a contempt of court allegation associated with case number 22FA449. The precise circumstances surrounding that matter, including the nature of the court order involved, have not yet been independently established.
The Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team was called to investigate the collision, with deputies reporting the arrival of crash investigators later that evening. MCAT investigations are typically conducted when collisions involve serious injuries or other circumstances requiring a more extensive reconstruction and investigation.
Kenosha County Eye has requested confirmation from Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Keith Forster regarding Ishman’s involvement in the collision and whether he is the suspected impaired driver responsible for the injuries. Additional information is also being sought regarding the number and condition of the victims, the vehicles involved, and whether investigators believe drugs, alcohol, or both played a role.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the available jail records reflect arrest allegations rather than a verified list of criminal charges formally filed by the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. Ishman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
