Two women were injured during a single-vehicle accident in Fremont County, Wednesday evening. The Sheriff’s Office reports the accident happened at around 7:15-p.m. on Highway 59, between 250th Street and 260th Street. Deputies determined a 2009 Saturn Aura driven by 39-year old Michelle Rene Graham, of Fairfax, MO., was traveling south on the highway, when for reasons unknown, Graham lost control, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline to the left. The car entered the northbound ditch, and continued south before sideswiping one tree and then striking a second tree head on.

Graham became trapped and was extricated from the vehicle after over an hour and forty-five minutes, by Shenandoah Fire and Rescue using the Jaws of Life. She was air lifted from the scene by LifeNet Helicopter to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha with life threatening injuries. Her passenger, 56-year old Teresa Amthor, of Rock Port, Missouri, was also air lifted from the scene by LifeNet Helicopter with unknown injures. Both women were wearing seat belts. In addition, the car’s airbags deployed as designed.

Shenandoah Fire and Rescue, Page County Sheriff’s Office, LifeNet, and the Iowa DOT assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call. Neither alcohol nor speed are believed to be factors. The vehicle was a total loss. The accident is still under investigation.