(Harlan, IA) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has released information about a multi-vehicle accident with injuries, that occurred just before 8-a.m. Friday, March 27th. The crash happened on Highway 44 east of Maple Road. The initial call stated there were people trapped in at least one of the vehicles.
On arrival deputies located a white 2005 Dodge minivan on the roadway, The driver of this van was later identified as Star Grifford, and the passenger was identified as Michael Gettler, who is wheelchair bound and was trapped in the vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Office says Michael Thraen was driving a 2003 Chevy K3500 pickup. He told Deputies that he was ok, and didn’t need any medical attention. Thraen stated he was stopped to turn into a driveway in the 1400 block of Highway 44. He said he saw the accident was going to happen as the third vehicle involved was not slowing down. The third vehicle was a 2018 grey Dodge minivan driven by Lydia Holtz. Holtz is pregnant and had her two other children with her.
After the Harlan Fire Department extricated Michael Gettler by mechanical means, he was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Shelby County Ambulance Service, and later transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Lydia Holtz and her children were also transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Shelby County Ambulance Service to be checked out.
Authorities say the chain reaction accident happened when the 2003 Chevy driven by Thraen was stopped or slowed to turn into a driveway in the 1400 block of Highway 44. The 2005 Dodge minivan driven by Gifford was stopped behind it and was struck by the 2018 Dodge minivan driven by Holtz, which pushed the minivan operated by Gifford into the pickup driven by Thraen. Holtz’s vehicle ended up in the north ditch, Thraen’s and Giffords both stayed on the roadway.
Both of the minivans were towed away from the scene.
