Crash near Dickens injures four

Four young adults have been treated and released after a single-car crash early Tuesday morning in northeast Clay County.

At about 1:30 a.m., the Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a single vehicle accident involving injuries in the 3400 mile of 315th Avenue in eastern Clay County, which is about three miles east as a mile north of Dickens.

Upon arrival, the deputy found a white, 2002 Chevy Avalanche, owned and operated by 21-year-old Tyler Ryan Kronemann of Ruthven.

Kronemann was apparently traveling northbound on 315th Avenue, became distracted and entered the east ditch. Kronemann drove his vehicle north in the ditch, then struck and crossed a driveway before coming to rest.

Kronemann and four passengers were able to free themselves from the wreckage and emergency responders were summoned.

Kronemann and 21-year-old passenger Zachary Adam Eugene Williamson of Ruthven were transported to Spencer Municipal Hospital. Occupants Billy Joel Sundall, 23, Ruthven, and Jessica May Long, 21, Emmetsburg, were transported to the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg.

"All have been released from the hospital," Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow said. "They were non-life-threatening injuries."

A fourth passenger, 24-year-old Jennifer Marie Wickman of Emmetsburg, was not injured in the accident.

"The preliminary investigation appears to indicate the uninjured Wickman was the only occupant utilizing safety seat belts and not consuming alcoholic beverages," a statement from Chief Deputy Brad Hawley said. "Alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the accident and charges are pending against Kronemann, depending on Division of Criminal Investigation lab results of a submitted blood sample."

Additional alcohol and traffic charges are also pending against Williamson, Sundall and Long, the sheriff's office statement said.

"With the holiday coming in, it is just a reminder -- don't drink and drive out there," Krukow said.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Dickens Fire and Rescue, Emmetsburg and Ruthven Ambulance Services, Ruthven Fire and Rescue and Spencer Municipal Hospital.