The Dane County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident that left a Mount Horeb woman seriously injured after she was thrown from the bed of a pick-up truck in the Town of Springdale.

Deputies were called to Witte Road and CTH S at 12:21 a.m., on Sunday, July 24th, where they found a 20-year-old woman unconscious in the roadway. The driver had fled the scene and witnesses, many of which were attending a nearby birthday party, were uncooperative and not willing to identify the driver. The victim was transported to UW Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Thus far, the investigation has revealed that Nicholas J. Zander, 20, was hosting a birthday party at a residence on Holfelder Road where a large number of underage individuals were drinking. After Deputies spent the night canvassing the area and conducting interviews, Dekota J. Edge, 19, Blue Mounds, was identified as the driver of the pick-up truck and arrested for Reckless Driving Causing Great Bodily Harm. Taylor J. Disch, 21, New Glarus, who is also believed to have been in the pick-up truck at the time of the incident, was arrested for Obstructing. This is an open investigation and additional citations and/or charges could be issued.

Underage Drinking is No Laughing Matter

While Deputies are investigating an incident that has left a 20-year-old Mount Horeb woman fighting for her life, some of her fellow party-goers are making light of the situation on social media.

Deputies saw a post on the Snapchat account of Kaylee M. Muchow, age 18. The picture was taken from inside the house at 3111 Holfelder Road, in the Town of Springdale, while Deputies were investigating the July 24th incident where a woman was thrown from the bed of a pick-up truck and left in the roadway with severe head injuries. Although it's been estimated that there were well over 100 people in attendance at the underage drinking party, most of the attendees fled or stayed holed up in the house and have not cooperated with law enforcement. The photo shows William Fish and Addison Moyer, both age 22, posing with a "must be 21 to drink" sign in front of a Dane County squad car.

"The potential for serious injury and even deadly consequences is precisely the reason we take the underage drinking laws seriously in Dane County. All too often, underage drinking parties lead to fatal traffic crashes when an intoxicated person decides to get behind the wheel. The fact that young people in attendance would make light of the incident while their friend fights for her life, highlights why Wisconsin's culture of drinking must be addressed," said Dane County Sheriff Mahoney.

Dekota J. Edge, 19, Blue Mounds, remains in the Dane County Jail on tentative charges of Reckless Driving Causing Great Bodily Harm. The woman from Mount Horeb remains in UW Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with information on the events related to this crime are asked to call the Dane County tip line at (608) 284-6900.