DE SOTO, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson said he credits a families use of child safety seats for an accident that resulted in minor injuries, but could have had a very different outcome without them.
Sheriff Torgerson said his department received a report of a two-vehicle crash occurred in rural De Soto, in the town of Wheatland around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12. The Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified that two vehicles collided, head-on, on South Worman Road, south of State Highway 82.
The Sheriff’s report states that 60-year-old Jeffrey Lee Thompson, of Winona, Minn. was driving south and Thompson was left of center when he crested a hill and struck a northbound vehicle driven by Kyle T. Strand, 37, of rural Viroqua, Wis.
The Sheriff states all the individuals involved were wearing seat-belts were and airbags deployed in both vehicles. Jeffrey Thompson was injured and transported to Gundersen Health System, in La Crosse, Wis. by Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance.
Kyle Strand and his female passenger, age 3, reported minor injuries, were not transported, but may have sought medical treatment on their own. Proper child restraints were in use at the time of the crash.
“This would be a wonderful opportunity to emphasize the importance of properly sized, properly fitted, and properly installed child safety restraints,” said Sheriff Torgerson. “The child, who is within two months of her fourth birthday, remains weary of travel by car; however, enjoys telling everyone she sees about the crash. I commend this family and all families who understand the significance of child safety restraints.”
Jeffrey Thompson was delivering packages and it appeared that South Worman Road was being used as a local detour because of the road construction on State Highway 82.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Wheatland Fire Department, Wheatland First Responders, and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulances.
The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
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