Multiple accidents reported on Highway 218

    The past weekend was a treacherous one for motorists out in the slick and windy conditions. There was at least one fatality, which was the result of a single vehicle rollover on Highway 218 near 265th Street Saturday morning at about 7:30 a.m. Todd Gordon, age 59, of Iowa City, was killed in the accident, and was also the vehicle?s driver. Passenger Keith Stairs, age 46, of Cedar Rapids, was transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

    According to the Iowa State Patrol, Gordon was driving a pickup with a trailer attached northbound on Highway 218 when he lost control on an ice-covered bridge and entered the median. The vehicle rolled and came to rest on its top in the southbound lane. Gordon was ejected from the vehicle while Stairs was trapped before being extricated by emergency responders. Assisting in the rescue were the Washington County Sheriff?s Department, Washington EMS, Crawfordsville Fire and Rescue and the Iowa State Patrol.

    At about 7 a.m. Saturday, an Iowa City High school bus rolled over while traveling southbound on Highway 218 between 160th and 170th streets. At least seven injuries were reported involving the passengers and the bus driver. They were transported to Mercy Hospital and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. There were at least 14 people on board the bus at the time.

    Earlier that day at about 6:20 a.m., Highway 218 was the site of a single vehicle rollover near 150th street. Linda Wenger of Washington was trapped and sustained injuries. She was transported to the university hospital. Emergency personnel responded to the scene from the Washington County Sheriff?s Office, the Washington County Ambulance, the Riverside First Responders, and the Riverside Fire Department/Rescue Squad.

    Emergency personnel responded to a truck versus semi-trailer accident on Highway 22 one mile west of Wellman Saturday morning at about 8:30 a.m. No injuries were reported. Responding to the scene were personnel from the Washington County Sheriff?s Office, the Kalona Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Wellman Volunteer Ambulance, and Wellman Fire Department/Rescue Squad.

     At about 7:40 a.m. Saturday, a two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of West Third Street and North Avenue B in Washington. Driver Tracey Broekling was cited for failure to obey a stop sign. No injuries were reported.

For more, see our Dec. 6 print edition.