On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at approximately 3:39 PM the Wisconsin State Patrol, Washburn
County Sheriff’s Office, and Shell Lake Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on CTH
B at Sawyer Creek Road. The initial investigation indicates a 2015 Jeep Wrangler failed to yield
and was struck by a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Trooper observed signs of impairment in the driver of the Jeep Wrangler. A subsequent
investigation, including standardized field sobriety test, showed 61-year-old Patrick John Powers
from Shell Lake, Wisconsin was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled
substance. Mr. Powers was arrested and transported to the Shell Lake Hospital for an evidentiary
test of his blood and then to the Washburn County Jail.
The crash and OWI remain under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.
