Minor injuries in two-vehicle accident near Rudd Friday morning

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A 2019 Charles City High School graduate and a man from Sherrill each received minor injuries when a car and a semi-trailer collided Friday morning on the Avenue of the Saints near Rudd.

According to a report from the Iowa Highway Patrol, Olivia Wolfe, 18, of Charles City, and Robert Allen Astgen, 43, of Sherrill, were each transported to MercyOne-North Iowa hospital in Mason City after the accident, where they were treated and released.

The accident report said Astgen was driving a tractor-trailer and Wolfe was driving a 2011 Honda Civic, both westbound on Highway 18 near the intersection with Rudd Park Road, east of Rudd, at about 9:50 a.m. Friday.

Wolfe, in the outside lane, was passing by Astgen’s semi, which was in the inside lane, when Astgen began changing lanes into Wolfe’s lane. Wolfe went off onto the shoulder then back onto the roadway, where her car was struck by the semi.

Astgen “overcorrected,” the report said, causing the semi to overturn and slide into the north ditch. Wolfe’s car also went into the north ditch, striking a culvert. Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Wolfe’s vehicle airbag did not deploy.

Astgen had to be extracted from the cab. He was transported to MercyOne-North Iowa by AMR ambulance. Wolfe was transported to MercyOne-North Iowa by Nora Springs Ambulance.

Both vehicles were listed as receiving severe damage, likely exceeding the value of the vehicles.

Astgen was transporting ice for Artic Glacier USA Inc. of Dubuque, and the refrigerated trailer broke open, spilling bagged ice and wooden pallets into the ditch.

Iowa State Trooper Benedict Miller told the Press that no charges have been filed yet in the incident.

He said he is waiting to receive copies of video taken by a camera in Astgen’s semi as well as recordings taken by a couple of semis that were behind the accident before he concludes his investigation.

Miller said it is common for semis now to carry video cameras to record activity in case there are liability questions.