Caledonia Argus

Accident sends woman to hospital; Hokah man charged

Posted: 2/3/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

A Hokah man is facing felony escape and alcohol related charges after a one-vehicle accident sent a Wauwatosa, WI women to the hospital.

The accident occurred on Cork Hollow Road, about one and a half miles west of Brownsville, on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11:26 p.m.

The accident occurred when Thomas Luke Rohrer, 24, of Hokah went off the road and struck a tree.

Houston County Deputy Randy Shefelbine placed Rohrer under arrest in his squad car. Rohrer escaped when he reached through an open partition separating the front and back seats and unlocked the door. He was handcuffed at the time.

Shefelbine located him 20 minutes later.

Chief Deputy Ken Frank explained that the partition is normally closed, but sometimes deputies will open the partition during the winter to allow heat into the back.

The passenger in the vehicle, Janine Carolyn Kiekhofer, 24, was air-lifted to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center by Med-Link. Brownsville First Responders and the Tri-State Ambulance responded to the scene. As of Monday, Feb. 2, Kiekhofer was still in the intensive care unit at Gundersen. The family of Kiekhofer did not wish to comment on her condition.

However, during a court appearance on February 2, Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson told Judge James Fabian that as of that day Kiekhofer was still unconscious and suffered at the very least a broken jaw.

Rohrer appeared in court and was charged with three counts of felony criminal operation of a vehicle resulting in substantial bodily harm, one count of felony escape from custody and two counts of misdemeanor DUI (Driving Under the Influence).

Jackson requested that unconditional bail be set at $20,000 and conditional bail at $10,000. He noted that Rohrer escaped from the squad car while Shefelbine was assisting medical personnel with Kiekhofer, who was still trapped in the vehicle. Jackson said this alleged conduct illustrates he is a danger to others on the road.

Attorney Gregory Schultz represented Rohrer, but stated that he was unsure if he would continue to be retained. Schultz stated that Rohrer has been a lifelong resident of the county and has all local connections.

Fabian noted that Rohrerís income exceeds the guidelines for qualifying for a public defender. He was recently laid off from work with a roofing company.

After listening to both sides, Fabian set unconditional bail at $10,000 and conditional bail at being released on his own recognizance with certain conditions. They include: being on electronic home monitoring and submitting to random alcohol tests; abstaining from alcohol; staying within Minnesota except to visit the victim at the hospital or to purchase necessities; not working in Wisconsin unless signing a waiver of extradition and being properly licensed to drive.

Fabian noted that this was Rohrerís first encounter with the law and that Rohrer had served in the military for the past four years. ìIíll give you the benefit of the doubt on this matter. You were very distraught at the time....Donít mess up,î said Fabian.

As of Monday, Feb. 2, the Houston County Sheriffís Office was unable to say whether Rohrer had posted unconditional bail or if he chose to submit to the conditions of release.

At the time of the escape, the only officer assisting on the scene was a La Crescent officer helping with traffic control.

The sheriffís office was short-handed that night. Shefelbine was the only deputy on patrol compared to the normal three. The Sheriffís Office is short four deputies. Deputy Tracie Erickson is off due to injuries related in a shooting accident (see story on page 1). Deputy Ernster is on a parenting leave of absence, and the county is currently advertising to fill two vacancies created by the resignation of Linda Coffield and retirement of Bob Reider.

Business reports burglary

A business on Kingston Street in Caledonia reported that their business was burglarized last Monday evening, between Jan. 26 and 27.

Approximately $250 in cash and coins were taken along with candy.

The case is under investigation by the Caledonia Police Department.

Theft reported

A Caledonia woman reported the theft of $350 from her lock box in her home. The theft occurred between January 10 through the 19th.

She is unsure if the box was locked at the time.

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