14 traffic accidents in Winneshiek County over the weekend

This past weekend was a very busy weekend for serious traffic accidents in Winneshiek County.  There were a total of 10 reportable accidents and an additional 4 non-reportable accidents that the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office responded to over three days.

Sheriff Marx says, "While it's difficult to avoid all accidents, please remember to slow down, be careful and be aware of your surroundings. Even with seasoned drivers, life-altering accidents can happen in just a few seconds."

The accidents included one fatal accident.  Sunday at 7:25 a.m. on Middle Calmar Road at 195th Street near Decorah, 26-year-old Alexandra Loden of Decorah drifted across the center line, into the southbound lane and entered a ditch.  Her vehicle rolled over and she was ejected from her vehicle.  The Iowa State Patrol, Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department, Calmar Fire Department and Calmar EMS responded to the accident.

In other accidents:
 
Friday 2:00 p.m.-- Highway 9 and Short Street near Ridgeway. 29-year-old Chad Fox of Sumner, driving a semi, was rear-ended by a Dodge Ram pickup pulling a trailer driven by 72-year-old John Martinek of Cresco.  There were no injuries.

Friday 2:24 p.m.--Highway 9 and Short Street near Ridgeway.  This accident occurred while these vehicles were passing the scene of the earlier accident.  38-year-old Christina Ramseth of Decorah, driving a Chrysler Aspen, was hit by 63-year-old Thea Perkins of Lawler, driving a Dodge Journey.  There were no injuries.  The accident caused $3,000 in damages.  Ramseth was cited for unsafe passing.

Friday 4:21 p.m.--Highway 52 and Main Street in Calmar.  34-year-old Michael Steffans of Calmar struck a 12-year-old female pedestrian.  The pedestrian suffered minor injuries.

Saturday 12:05 p.m.--310th Street near 333rd Avenue near Decorah.  32-year-old Jonathon Nelson of Cresco, driving a Chevrolet truck, went through three fences, two fields, struck a tree and stopped when the vehicle hung up on some brush in another fence line.  No injuries. $7,800 in damages.

Saturday 3:04 p.m.--County Road B32 and 227th Avenue near Festina.  46-year-old John Carpenter of Winthrop, driving a Honda motorcycle, lost control and went into the ditch.  Both the driver and the passenger, 46-year-old Tracy Eison of Cedar Rapids, were injured. $2,500 in damages.
 
Saturday 3:31 p.m.--Locust Road and County Rd. A-26 near Decorah.  60-year-old Peter Lingen of Decorah, driving a Kia car, entered the ditch and drove through a fence, clipped a power pole and entered a cornfield. No injuries. $5,400 in damages.

Saturday 3:38 p.m.--Old Stage Road and Glenville Road east of Decorah.  58-year-old Kevin Whitehurst of Manly, driving a Harley-Davidson, lost control of his motorcycle. The driver and his passenger, 51-year-old Luann Servantez of Manly, were both injured.  The report and damage estimate are pending.

Saturday 7:09 p.m.--Middle Calmar Road near Lincoln Highway near Decorah.  41-year-old Michael Shurtleff of Waucoma, driving a Ford Fusion, struck a cow.  There were no injuries and $700 damage.

Sunday 9:19 p.m.--County Road A18 near Burr Oak.  24-year-old Trevor Pisney of Lime Springs, driving a Chevy Silverado pickup, entered the ditch and the truck rolled. The driver suffered minor injuries.  The officer's report is still pending.