Per a press release from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, on February 3rd, 2023, at 4:47 a.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a crash involving a motor vehicle and a building at W9004 US Hwy 14 in the Town of Darien, Walworth County.

The first arriving Deputy advised of a large natural gas leak from a broken gas meter at the Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill. The Deputy located a vehicle in the interior of the building. The driver of the car was on scene and identified as Abel Espinoza, 19 years of age, from Clinton, WI. Espinoza was uninjured and told the Deputy he had fallen asleep while traveling southbound on State Hwy 89 approaching the intersection of US Hwy 14 / State Hwy 11.

The business was empty at the time of the crash. However, there were residents in an apartment above the establishment. The residents were uninjured and evacuated without incident.

The crash remains under investigation, and Whiskey Ranch has potential structural damage. State Hwy 89 was closed for several hours until WE Energies rendered the gas leak safe.

The Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the Darien Fire Department, Shared Paramedics, City of Delavan Police, Walworth County Public Works, and WE Energies.

According to the Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill website, the business is temporarily closed for repairs.