On 08/05/22 at 11:43AM, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a two vehicle crash with injuries on CITY U near Rattlesnake road in Beetown Township.

Lori Williams, age 58 from Huston, MN, was traveling westbound on CITY U in her 2017 Dodge Journey. Lori fell asleep and drifted across the center line. At the same time Todd Kerkenbush, age 48 from Dubuque IA, was traveling eastbound on CITY U in his company’s 2010 Ford F250 work truck. Kerkenbush attempted to swerve out of the way of William’s vehicle, but was unable to. William’s vehicle struck the BNSF railway pickup truck on the driver’s side front panel. The F250 careened into the south ditch, and the Journey careened into the north ditch. The F250 started on fire, and Kerkenbush was able to free himself from the vehicle before it was fully engulfed. Both Kerkenbush and Williams sustained severe injuries and were both transported to Grant Regional Health Center.

The F250 was burnt to its frame and the Journey sustained heavy front end damages.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this matter by the Bloomington Fire Department, Bloomington JAWS, Cassville EMS, and Lancaster EMS. Both vehicles were removed by B&M Towing of Bloomington.

The Sheriffs Office cited Williams for Inattentiveq Driving.