Caledonia Argus

Seatbelts help prevent injuries in two-car crash

Posted: 12/2/03

Cora Vaaler, 44, of Spring Grove, had a close call in a two-car accident on Highway 44 north of Caledonia at about 10 am on November 28.

She was driving west-bound in her 1993 Subaru when she rear-ended another vehicle. She went into the ditch on the north side of the highway and hit some trees, which caused her air bag to go off.

Vaaler was taken to a La Crosse hospital by Caledonia Ambulance Service for injuries not related to the accident. She said on December 1 that she was a little sore from the air bag going off, but was otherwise fine. ìI had my seat belt onî she said.

That was very important, state patrolman Kelley McGraw said on December 1. ìI can say it truly did prevent more serious injuries.î he said.

The driver of the other car was Rosalyn Ramsey, 50, of Decorah. Her 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix ended up in the north-side ditch further toward Caledonia. She and her passenger had their seatbelts on, and were not hurt either, except for some bruises and stiffness, Ramsey said on December 1.

McGraw said that privacy laws prevented him from stating the cause of the accident, but that it was not related to road conditions.

Other accidents reported

A two vehicle accident was reported at 8:05 am Monday, December 1, on Co. Rd. 10 in Sheldon Township. Drivers of the vehicles were Rachel L. Gormly, 18, of Houston and Nicole A. Eddy, 17, of Caledonia.

Information was not available on how the accident occurred. No one was taken to the hospital.

Richard E. Bullock, 51, of Caledonia was involved in a one-vehicle rollover on Tuesday, November 25 at 2:35 pm in Winnebago Valley on Co. Rd. 5. The accident occurred when Bullock first swerved to avoid hitting a vehicle that was in his lane, and then lost control when a deer appeared in front of his vehicle. He sustained a minor cut to his hand.

On Thursday, November 27, Henry Helgeson, 31, of Duluth, MN slid off the road and into the ditch on Badger Road on State Hwy. 76.

Diane L. Romie, 38, of Spring Grove reported hitting a deer on State Hwy. 44 just north of Caledonia on Wednesday, November 26.

David M. Brickman, 39, of Brownsville reported hitting a deer on State Hwy. 16 in Hokah Township on Monday, November 24.

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