CRASH REPORTS
Two vehicle crashes
On December 14, at 4:50 p.m., vehicles operated by Benjamin Esker, 27, of Withee, and Lawrence Van Ark, 40, of Owen, were westbound on Hwy 64 in the town of Holway. According to the crash report three deer entered the roadway and the Van Ark vehicle braked hard to avoid striking the deer. The Esker vehicle slowed but did not slow enough and struck the rear of the Van Ark vehicle.
Esker sustained injuries and later went to the emergency room. Van Ark sustained minor injury and declined EMS.
The 13-year-old rear passenger was transported by ambulance with a suspected minor injury. Both vehicles were towed due to disabling damage. Esker was cited for vehicle operation failure to wear seat belt.
On December 12, at 3:57 p.m., a vehicle operated by Nicholas Kowalski, 30, of Stetsonville, was turning eastbound onto CTH O from Gibson Dr. while a vehicle operated by Britney Hostetler, 30, of Antigo, was turning southbound onto Gibson Dr. from CTH O. According to the crash report, Hostetler cut the turn short and stuck the Kowalski vehicle in the driver’s side front corner.
Lanes were closed for about an hour as crews removed the vehicles. The Kowalski vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. The Hostetler vehicle was towed with functional damage. Hostetler was cited for operating while revoked (revoked due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal) and for operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
On December 17, at 5:23 p.m., a vehicle operated by Dean Patrick Sickenberger, 81, of Medford, was traveling southbound on S. 8th Street (Hwy 13) in the city of Medford and a vehicle operated by Claire Zimmerman, 32, of Westboro, was traveling southbound on S. 8th St. When the Sickenberger vehicle arrived at the intersection of S. 8th St. and Clark St., a left turn was made to travel Eastbound into the Medford Plaza. While turning the front passenger’s side corner of the Zimmerman vehicle struck the rear passenger side of Sickenberger’s vehicle. Both vehicles sustained functional damage.
One vehicle crashes
On December 14, at 9:20 a.m., a vehicle operated by Tylor Zondlo, 28, of Rib Lake, was traveling eastbound on Wood Lake Avenue in the town of Rib Lake. Wood lake avenue was partially covered in snow buty the center of the roadway was clear. Zondlo crossed over the center of the roadway and drifted to the north shoulder. The vehicle then entered the north ditch which had a steep embankment. The vehicle struck an embankment at the bottom of the ditch along with a bunch of brush. The vehicle continued eastbound in the north ditch and struck a number of trees. The vehicle had severe damage. Zondlo was trapped in the vehicle and when extricated was transported by Aspirus Air EMS to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
The passenger, Diana Rigney, 34, of Rib Lake, was transported by ambulance to Aspirus Medford Hospital and Clinics. Zondlo was cited for operating while under the influence (2nd), operating while revoked, revoked due to alcohol/ controlled substance/refusal and failure to keep vehicle unscontrol.
On December 14, at 4:35 a.m., a vehicle operated by Jacob Clark, 18, of Dorchester, was traveling southbound on Gibson Drive in the town of Little Black. According to the crash report, the driver stated they fell asleep while driving and crashed into he east ditch of Gibson Drive.
There was a 14-year-old passenger in the vehicle. Clark was cited for failure of operator to notify police of an accident and failure to keep vehicle under control.
On December 19, at 11:40 a.m., a vehicle operated by Ryan Dunkel, 17, of Medford was westbound on Broadway Ave. (Hwy 64) in the city of Medford behind a plow truck. According to the crash report, the driver stated the plow truck slowed down and Dunkel had to swerve right to avoid hitting the plow truck. The vehicle struck a pole at the railroad crossing causing front drivers side damage. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.
Car vs. deer crashes
On December 18, at 10:38 p.m., a vehicle operated by Heather Rehbein, 53, of Medford, stuck a deer while driving northbound on CTH Q in the town of Medford. The vehicle sustained functional damage.
On December 18, at 5:03 p.m., a vehicle operated by Ronald Blackburn, 71, of Medford, struck a deer while westbound on CTH M in the town of Pershing. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.
On December 17, at 10:17 a.m., a vehicle operated by Steve Amundson, 61, of Abbotsford, struck a deer while eastbound on CTH O in the town of Medford. The vehicle received minor damage to its left front corner.
