Trooper says van crossed centerline in fatal crash
By Molly Montagmmontag@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
HORNICK, Iowa -- A minivan crossed the centerline and caused a head-on collision that killed a Spencer, Iowa, man and injured five high school wrestlers and their coach, authorities said Tuesday.
The accident happened about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8 on Iowa Highway 141 about five miles east of Hornick, Iowa.
Westwood High School wrestling coach Daniel Thompson, 26, and five members of the school wrestling team were on their way to a wrestling clinic in a neighboring school district when the crash occurred.
Trooper Lynn Olesen, an Iowa State Patrol accident reconstructionist, said Tuesday that the westbound minivan driven by Bradley Haburn, 53, of Spencer, Iowa, crossed the centerline into the path of an eastbound Chevrolet Suburban.
Thompson, who was driving the Suburban, attempted to swerve left to avoid the minivan in his lane, Olesen said, but Haburn also attempted to steer the minivan back into his correct lane.
The vehicles collided near the centerline, when Haburn's vehicle hit the front passenger side of the Suburban.
Haburn was killed in the crash.
Injured passengers in the Suburban were: Jordan Mitchell, 18, of Sloan, Iowa; Trent Baker, 16, of Sloan; Adam Greeno, 16, of Salix, Iowa; Sage Washburn, 16, of Hornick; and Blake Jorgenson, 15, of Sloan.
Although it is unclear exactly what caused Haburn's vehicle to cross the centerline, Olesen said officials believe it was a combination of his poor health, a northwest wind of 23 mph and a curve in the road.
"They're the most plausible reasons he was across the centerline," Olesen said.
Haburn did not suffer from a stroke or heart attack, Olesen said, but had an undisclosed chronic health condition. The wind and the curve in the road both would have pushed the van toward the centerline, he said.
Alcohol, illegal drug use and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, Olesen said.
No charges or citations will be issued, the trooper said.
Thompson and Baker, the front seat passenger, were the only occupants in the Suburban wearing seatbelts. Although they were not required by law to wear seatbelts, Olesen said the unrestricted back seat passengers were thrown about by the impact and likely injured worse than if they had been wearing seatbelts.
Mitchell was found walking outside the Suburban, but didn't know how he got out of the vehicle. Olesen said it is unclear if Mitchell climbed from the wreckage or was thrown from the vehicle.
The teens and their coach were taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City for treatment, but only one remains hospitalized.
Westwood school officials could not be reached for comment.
Condition Update
SIOUX CITY -- Only one of the six people injured in a Nov. 8 head-on collision near Hornick is still hospitalized in Sioux City.
A hospital official said Westwood High School wrestler Trent Baker, 16, of Sloan was in fair condition on Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City.
Baker's coach, Daniel Thompson and three of his teammates -- Jordan Mitchell, 18; Sage Washburn, 16; and Adam Greeno, 16, -- have been released from the hospital.
On Thursday, six busloads of students and well-wishers gave Blake Jorgensen, 15, of Sloan, a rousing send-off as he boarded a plane for Denver. Jorgensen was on his way to Craig Hospital, where he will continue his rehabilitation.
The accident happened about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8 on Iowa Highway 141 about five miles east of Hornick, Iowa.
Westwood High School wrestling coach Daniel Thompson, 26, and five members of the school wrestling team were on their way to a wrestling clinic in a neighboring school district when the crash occurred.
Trooper Lynn Olesen, an Iowa State Patrol accident reconstructionist, said Tuesday that the westbound minivan driven by Bradley Haburn, 53, of Spencer, Iowa, crossed the centerline into the path of an eastbound Chevrolet Suburban.
Thompson, who was driving the Suburban, attempted to swerve left to avoid the minivan in his lane, Olesen said, but Haburn also attempted to steer the minivan back into his correct lane.
The vehicles collided near the centerline, when Haburn's vehicle hit the front passenger side of the Suburban.
Haburn was killed in the crash.
Injured passengers in the Suburban were: Jordan Mitchell, 18, of Sloan, Iowa; Trent Baker, 16, of Sloan; Adam Greeno, 16, of Salix, Iowa; Sage Washburn, 16, of Hornick; and Blake Jorgenson, 15, of Sloan.
Although it is unclear exactly what caused Haburn's vehicle to cross the centerline, Olesen said officials believe it was a combination of his poor health, a northwest wind of 23 mph and a curve in the road.
"They're the most plausible reasons he was across the centerline," Olesen said.
Haburn did not suffer from a stroke or heart attack, Olesen said, but had an undisclosed chronic health condition. The wind and the curve in the road both would have pushed the van toward the centerline, he said.
Alcohol, illegal drug use and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, Olesen said.
No charges or citations will be issued, the trooper said.
Thompson and Baker, the front seat passenger, were the only occupants in the Suburban wearing seatbelts. Although they were not required by law to wear seatbelts, Olesen said the unrestricted back seat passengers were thrown about by the impact and likely injured worse than if they had been wearing seatbelts.
Mitchell was found walking outside the Suburban, but didn't know how he got out of the vehicle. Olesen said it is unclear if Mitchell climbed from the wreckage or was thrown from the vehicle.
The teens and their coach were taken to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City for treatment, but only one remains hospitalized.
Westwood school officials could not be reached for comment.
Condition Update
SIOUX CITY -- Only one of the six people injured in a Nov. 8 head-on collision near Hornick is still hospitalized in Sioux City.
A hospital official said Westwood High School wrestler Trent Baker, 16, of Sloan was in fair condition on Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City.
Baker's coach, Daniel Thompson and three of his teammates -- Jordan Mitchell, 18; Sage Washburn, 16; and Adam Greeno, 16, -- have been released from the hospital.
On Thursday, six busloads of students and well-wishers gave Blake Jorgensen, 15, of Sloan, a rousing send-off as he boarded a plane for Denver. Jorgensen was on his way to Craig Hospital, where he will continue his rehabilitation.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
