Two-vehicle accidents
Accident reports
Taylor County Law Enforcement
William D. Brunner, 70, Medford, and Velma J. Mann, 73, Rib Lake, were involved in an accident on August 28 at 1:34 p.m. at the intersection of Allman Street and Hwy 13 in the city of Medford. According to the accident report, both vehicles were southbound on Hwy 13. The Mann vehicle slowed down for the yield sign at the roundabout with Hwy 13 due to traffic in the roundabout. Brunner looked down momentarily to pick up a water bottle that had fallen on the floor of the vehicle and struck the Mann vehicle, causing minor damage to the rear. There was no damage to the Brunner vehicle. Looked but did not see by Brunner was listed in the report as a factor in the accident.
Lucas C. Ortengren, 16, Medford, and Timothy J. Widmer, 63, Medford, were involved in an accident on September 4 at 6:45 a.m. on Hwy 64 in the town of Medford. According to the accident report, a semi tractortrailer unit operated by Widmer was westbound on Hwy 64. The Ortengren vehicle was eastbound on the CTH E short-cut road and making a left turn onto Hwy 64. Due to the glare from the rising sun, Ortengren did not see the Widmer vehicle and pulled out in front of it. Widmer swerved into the eastbound lane of traffic in an effort to avoid a collision. There was a non-contact vehicle approaching from the opposite direction and Widmer swerved back into the westbound lane of traffic. The passenger side and rear tires of the Widmer vehicle struck the Ortengren vehicle, tearing off the front portion of the vehicle. Neither driver were injured in the accident. Failure to yield the right-of-way and looked but did not see by Ortengren were listed in the report as factors in the accident. He was issued a citation for failing to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign.
Darla J. Rief, 45, Medford, was involved in an accident on September 1 at 6:32 a.m. in the parking lot at the Medford Plaza in the city of Medford. According to the accident report, the Rief was westbound through the parking lot and made a left turn, striking a post. The vehicle sustained damage to the front and right front corner. Looked but did not see by Rief was listed in the report as a factor in the accident.
The following deer-related accidents were reported: Johnathan M. Aldinger, 45, Gilman, on August 27 at 4:04 a.m. on Hwy 13 in the town of Chelsea.
Patty J. Gengler, 64, Medford, on August 31 at 12:50 p.m. on CTH M in the town of Molitor.
Brooklyn K. Bilz, 16, Dorchester, on September 6 at midnight on Apple Avenue in the town of Little Black.
Frank J. McKinnon Jr., 42, Hartland, and George G. Grubbs Jr., 45, Rib Lake, were involved in an accident on August 30 at 3:35 a.m. on Hwy 13 in the town of Chelsea. According to the accident report, both vehicles were southbound on Hwy 13. The Grubbs vehicle attempted to pass the McKinnon vehicle. McKinnon did not want the Grubbs vehicle to pass, believing it was someone wanting to cause him harm. As the Grubbs vehicle pulled alongside the McKinnon vehicle in the northbound lane, the McKinnon vehicle moved into the northbound lane and made contact with the Grubbs vehicle. The contact caused both vehicles to enter the east ditch and travelled for approximately 350 yards in the ditch before both vehicles re-entered the roadway and continued southbound on Hwy 13. McKinnon and a passenger in the vehicle, Nevaeh M. McKinnon, 12, sustained possible injuries but were not transported for medical treatment. The McKinnon vehicle sustained damage to the entire left side. The Grubbs vehicle sustained damage to the entire right side. Operating a motor vehicle in an aggressive/reckless manner by McKinnon was listed in the report as a factor in the accident. He was issued citations for operating left of center, reckless driving-endangering safety and unsafe lane deviation.
