1 confirmed dead in crash

Published 10:43 am Tuesday, July 1, 2008

One has died and one remains in critical condition following a one-vehicle accident on County Road 34, the first of two single-car crashes on the highway early Sunday morning, according to the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release, Myrtle resident Kelly Jo Abrego, 25, was one of six traveling in the southbound 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, which wrecked after driving around “Road Closed” barricades posted following a washout on the highway from floods two weeks ago. The pickup ultimately crashed to the south of the washout area after landing on top of a steel culvert. The vehicle appears to be a total loss, the release said.

Kelly John Pechumer, 37, of Alden remains in critical condition, according to a St. Marys Hospital spokesperson.

Email newsletter signup

Albert Lea resident Nathan James Buchli, 26, is still in serious condition.

Broc Mark Dempewolf, 22, of Albert Lea, was upgraded from serious to fair condition, the spokesperson said, adding that the driver, 20-year-old Charles Kenneth Dennison of Albert Lea, and 26-year-old Langdon Brooks Bachtle, of Myrtle, are in good condition.

A First Responder from London, who was responding to the crash, was also slightly injured after crashing his 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup at the washout site.

The press release said 21-year-old Alex Jay Kline was driving northbound when he lost control of his vehicle, which dropped into a washed-out culvert. He suffered minor injuries, and was transported to Austin Medical Center by private vehicle.

Multiple fire departments and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.

The crashes follow a June 12 fatality at the same region of the highway, when 52-year-old Dale Wangen, of Albert Lea, struck an embankment following the washout and was submerged in floodwater. A second motorist also crashed at the site that night, though escaped without serious injury.