Weather-Related Crashes Keep Buchanan County Deputies Busy

Buchanan County sheriff's officials had a busy Saturday evening. They responded to numerous traffic accidents caused by another round of winter weather, which made area roads and highways extremely slippery.

The first crash happened around 4:30 PM on U.S. Highway 20 near the Quasqueton Diagonal Blvd. overpass. Officials said Megan Crotts, of Urbandale, lost control of the car she was driving. The vehicle spun around and struck the guardrails on both sides of the highway, at the base of the overpass. The car came to rest along the side of the highway. No one was injured.

About 15 minutes later, deputies were called to another traffic accident on U.S. 20 near mile marker 258. According to authorities, a car driven by Emma Schmidt, of Oelwein, slowed for traffic ahead of her in the westbound lanes. Her vehicle was rear-ended by a car driven by Riley Kolthoff of Independence. Kolthoff, along with Schmidt and her 3 passengers, were taken to the Independence hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The accident is still under investigation and charges are pending, officials said.

Also around 4:45 PM Saturday, Buchanan County deputies were summoned to a one-vehicle rollover accident on Iowa Highway 150 south of Independence. Authorities said Glenn Van Staalduine, of West Union, was driving northbound when he lost control of his jeep. The vehicle went into a ditch and rolled over, coming to rest upside down. Officials reported that Van Staaduine suffered minor injuries, but no medical services were needed.

Sheriff's officials responded to another single-vehicle accident around 6 PM south of Lamont. Faisal Nuh, of Des Moines, lost control of the southbound vehicle he was driving Iowa Highway 187, authorities said. The SUV went into a ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on its wheels. There were no injuries.