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1 dead, 2 injured in July 4th crash in Pott Co.

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July 5th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A woman from Oakland was killed and two Council Bluffs residents, including an on-duty police offcer, were injured during a crash late Monday night near the Horseshoe Casino, in Council Bluffs. The Iowa State Patrol says 88-year old Katherine Schmidt, of Oakland died at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, from injuries she suffered in the crash.

Schmidt was a passenger in a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by 60-year old Jeanette Linnenburger, of Council Bluffs. Linnenburger, and the driver of the other vehicle, 34-year old Josh Horner, a police officer from Council Bluffs, were injured during the crash and also taken to Mercy Hospital.

Horner was part of the traffic detail for a fireworks show taking place at the casino.

Officials say Linnenburger and Schmidt were headed west on 23rd Avenue at around 9:15-p.m. Monday, when the car they were in turned south into the Horseshoe Casino parking lot. Officer Horner was traveling east on 23rd Avenue in his 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser, and tried to avoid colliding with the Taurus, but was unable to do so. His cruiser hit Linnenburger’s car on the right front side.

The accident remains under investigation by the State Patrol, and the Council Bluffs Police Department Traffic Unit.