Two-vehicle accident

Accident reports

Kelsey J. Vahl, 30, Stetsonville, and Jena R. Cook, 24, Ogema, were involved in an accident on May 14 at 7:49 a.m. at the intersection of Hwy 64 and Seventh Street in the city of Medford. According to the accident report, the Vahl vehicle was eastbound on Hwy 64 and stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn onto North Seventh Street when it was struck from behind by the Cook vehicle. The driver of the Cook vehicle stated glare from the sun caused temporary blindness. A witness to the accident interviewed later that day stated the sun was terrible earlier in the morning just prior to the accident. The report stated the law enforcement officer reviewed the footage from his body camera and could see the reflection of the sun shining through the camera lens as he was responding to the accident. The Vahl vehicle sustained damage to the rear. The Cook vehicle sustained disabling damage to the front.

Courtney L. Riel, 32, Sheldon, was involved in an accident on May 6 at 9:40 p.m. on Old 194 in the town of McKinley. According to the accident report, the Riel vehicle was westbound on Old 194 when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch where it rolled and struck a telephone box before coming to a stop. Riel was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to Aspirus Medford Hospital for medical treatment. There was disabling damage to the entire vehicle.

Rick M. Griesbach, 29, Stetsonville, was involved in an accident on May 7 at 5:07 p.m. on Pine Avenue in the town of Little Black. According to the accident report, the Griesbach vehicle, a semi tractor unit, was eastbound on Pine Avenue when the vehicle shut off on its own. When the driver tried to restart the vehicle, it started on fire. The driver was able to escape the vehicle without injury. The vehicle was completely destroyed and was towed from the scene.

Ginelle M. Hartman, 54, Medford, was involved in an accident on May 7 at 10:51 p.m. on Hwy 102 in the town of Rib Lake. According to the accident report, the Hartman vehicle was southbound on Hwy 102 when several deer ran out onto the roadway. The driver swerved to avoid the deer and struck a traffic sign before coming to a stop in the west ditch. The vehicle sustained damage to the front and windshield. A tow company was contacted to remove the vehicle from the ditch and the driver was able to drive the vehicle from the scene.

Steven I. Bach, 64, Dorchester, was involved in an accident on May 9 at 4:37 p.m. on CTH E in the town of Medford. According to the accident report, the Bach vehicle was northbound on CTH E when the driver lost

Taylor County Law Enforcement

control and the vehicle entered the ditch. The vehicle sustained minor damage to the left side middle and undercarriage. The vehicle was removed from the ditch by the driver’s son and driven from the scene. Failure to control by Bach was listed in the report as a factor in the accident. He was mailed a citation for failure to keep vehicle under control.

An unknown vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run accident on May 12 on CTH H in the town of Pershing. According to the accident report, a vehicle was southbound on CTH H when it crossed over into the northbound lane of traffic and entered the east ditch. The vehicle continued in the ditch and struck a utility pole. The pole was severely damaged and had to be replaced. The vehicle was not at the scene when law enforcement arrived.

The following deer-related accidents were reported: James C. Ericksen, 65, Stanley, on May 13 at 10:43 a.m. on CTH H in the town of Pershing.

Casey L. Anderson, 26, Medford, on May 13 at 9:22 p.m. on CTH Q in the town of Medford.