Spirit Lake, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Dickinson County Sheriff’s department has released details about two accidents that occurred near the highway 71 and 9 intersection – commonly called the Jackson Y – between Spirit Lake and Superior late Wednesday afternoon.

Deputy Tony Petersen says three vehicles were stopped for road construction when 58-year-old Kimberly Mueller of Estherville struck the rear vehicle, causing a chain reaction. She was transported to Lakes Regional Healthcare by ambulance and the flown to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls with incapacitating injuries.

57-year-old Julie Schmitt of Graettinger and 48-year-old Casey Kirkpatrick of Estherville were treated for minor injuries on the scene, as were 15-year-old Oliver Jensen of Okoboji and 75-year-old lInda Storey of Okoboji who were passengers.

The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by Spirit Lake Police, Fire, Ambulance, and First Responders; Terril Ambulance; and the Iowa DNR. The Milford Fire Department extraction unit was requested but then cancelled.

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While emergency officials were handling the first accident, a second one ocurred at the intersection of 140th Street and 290th Avenue – a mile North and West of the Y – where traffic was being diverted.

The Northbound vehicle driven by 53-year-old Nicole Recker-Ware of Estherville entered the path of 38-year-old Steven Reighard of Estherville who was Westbound.
The Reck-Ware vehicle was struck, rolled, and entered the ditch. She and a passenger -10 year old Nora Reighbard – sustained non-incapaciting injuries and were taken by ambulance to the hospital in Spirit Lake. The Reighard vehicle also wound up in the ditch.

The first accident ocurred just before 5, the second crash happened shortly before 5:30.