Multi-vehicle accident
Accident reports
Erica B. Butkus, 41, Owen, Veronica R. Diercks, 18, Medford, and Brigham A. Kelley, 16, Medford, were involved in an accident on April 20 at 7:36 a.m. on East Broadway Avenue in the city of Medford. According to the accident report, the Burkus and Diercks vehicles were westbound on East Broadway Avenue and stopped in traffic waiting for a non-contact vehicle to make a left turn onto Main Street. The Kelley vehicle was also westbound on East Broadway Avenue and struck the rear of the Diercks vehicle. The impact of the collision pushed the Diercks vehicle forward into the rear of the Butkus vehicle. Kelley stated he was retrieving a food item from the floor area of his vehicle and did not see the stopped vehicles. The Butkus vehicle sustained minor damage to the rear. The Diercks vehicle sustained damage to the front, right front corner, left front corner, rear, right rear corner and left rear corner. The Kelley vehicle sustained minor damage to the front. Following too closely, looking away from task, and other distraction (food) by Kelley were listed in the report as factors in the accident.
Maryanna Medford, 60, Ogema, and a vehicle belonging to Andrew T. Ziehlke, 37, Medford, were involved in an accident on April 14 at 11:16 a.m. on the 200 block of North Park Avenue in the city of Medford. According to the accident report, the Ziehlke vehicle was unoccupied and legally-parked on the side of North Park Avenue. The driver of the Medford vehicle was backing
Taylor County Law Enforcement
up to turn around when her vehicle struck the Ziehlke vehicle, damaging the driver side quarter panel. There was no damage to the Medford vehicle.
Joshua Rodriguez, 31, Abbotsford, was involved in an accident on April 17 at noon on Hwy 13 in the town of Deer Creek. According to the accident report, the Rodriguez vehicle was northbound on Hwy 13 when the left front tire came off, causing the vehicle to enter the ditch and strike a field access driveway before coming to a stop in the ditch on the other side of the driveway. The driver stated he did not know why the tire came off the vehicle. The vehicle sustained damage to the front, right front corner, right side front, left front corner and left side front. It was towed from the scene. Equipment failure and exceeding the speed limit by Rodriguez were listed in the report as factors in the accident. He was issued a citation for operating without a valid licensefi rst violation.
The following deer-related accidents were reported: Mary Lou Gerstberger, 45, Rib Lake, on April 12 at 6:30 a.m. on Hwy 13 in the town of Chelsea.
Vincent M. Brunner Jr., 57, Medford, on April 16 at 1 a.m. on Hwy 64 in the town of Browning.
Steven R. Lawrence, 32, Medford, on April 16 at 10 a.m. on CTH M in the town of Grover.
Austin J. Thurman, 23, Spooner, on April 16 at 10:30 a.m. on Hwy 102 in the town of Rib Lake.
