Man hits tractor, breaks finger after texting while driving

Tractor was pulling a trailer full of liquid manure

GRANT COUNTY, WI — A 37-year-old man struck a farm tractor after texting while driving on USH 151 in Platteville Township Monday morning, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office says the crash happened at 11:34 a.m. on USH 151 just south of Southwest Road.

Matthew Bruhn, of Jefferson, had been texting and talking on his phone while driving a rented 2014 Ford Mustang convertible when he struck the tractor, the sheriff’s office said. Callers told authorities the south bound lanes of USH 151 were blocked and manure was covering the highway.

The sheriff’s office said Bruhn had just finished texting and was on the phone speaking to an employee when he looked up just in time to hit the farm tractor. Bruhn was wearing his seatbelt, which “played a significant role and most likely saved his life,” authorities said. He was treated at Southwest Hospital in Platteville for a broken finger.

The driver of the tractor was shook up, but refused medical treatment.