Caledonia Argus

Road conditions contribute to accident near Spring Grove

Posted: 2/26/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

A 16-year-old girl, Robin Thomas, is in critical condition after a two car accident that occurred at about 8:00 a.m Wednesday, February 20, on Hwy. 16, one mile east of Spring Grove. Thomas was trapped in the vehicle.

According to the Houston County Sheriffís Office, slushy road conditions were partly responsible for causing Terese Marie Solum, 42, of Spring Grove to lose control of her vehicle and slide into the path of an oncoming truck driven by Jennifer Zilly, 32, of Spring Grove.

Solumís vehicle landed in a ditch. She had five juvenile passengers, two of whom were trapped in the car. The jaws of life were used to release Michelle Solum, 15, and Robin Thomas.

The Spring Grove Ambulance and Fire Department, Caledonia Ambulance and Fire Department, the Tri-State Ambulance and the Houston County Sheriffís Office were dispatched to the scene.

Thomas was taken to Gundersen Lutheran Hospital where she was still listed in critical condition as of Monday, February 25. Michelle was taken to St. Francis Medical Center. She was discharged Thursday, February 21.

Terese Solum was taken to St. Francis Medical Center and was discharged Friday, February 22. A front seat passenger, Rick Solum, 16, was taken to St. Francis Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Other passengers, Jason Solum, 11, and Kyle Thomas, 10, were not injured.

Zilly was not injured.

None of those involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

No citations were issued.

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