A 40-year-old Clintonville man escaped injury after his van broke through the ice on Shawano Lake the morning of Jan. 7. However, he didn't escape justice, as he was later taken to the county jail on bail jumping and other charges, officials said.
Shawano County dispatchers received a call at 6:32 a.m. about the vehicle in the water near Stark and Washington Lake roads. The actual location was found to be on the north shore of Shawano Lake, directly south of the channel to Washington Lake.
The caller indicated the vehicle was a small van and the headlights were still on. It was believed that everyone was out of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and left the area on foot prior to deputies arriving on scene. Deputies eventually located the driver who confirmed there was no one else in the vehicle.
Deputies learned the driver had driven out on Shawano Lake to deliver food to someone who was already on the lake ice fishing.
Ultimately, EMS was dispatched to check out the driver. The driver was later transported to a local hospital to be further evaluated.
Once released from the hospital, the driver was arrested on an unrelated matter and transported to the Shawano County Jail.
As of the next day, the vehicle had not been removed from Shawano Lake. A local towing company, as well as the Shawano Fire Department, were working on this matter.
When going out on the ice for fishing, caution is essential to ensure safety, officials said. Ice conditions can be unpredictable, and even a small crack or thin spot can lead to dangerous situations. It's important to check the ice thickness, ideally ensuring it is at least 4 inches for safe walking, and to be aware of weather changes that can weaken the ice.
Free of injuries but not the law
