Red Oak woman hospitalized after Hwy 34 crash

A Red Oak woman remains hospitalized following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 34 near Stanton Thursday night.

Ashley Crouse, 19, was taken by LifeNet air ambulance following the crash. She is being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in its neuro intensive care unit, according to social media postings by family members.

Family members have also posted updates on her condition and many expressions of thanks to members of the rescue crews that assisted her at the scene.

Crouse is a 2017 graduate of Red Oak High School, and the daughter of Dana Crouse and Marshall Adams.

Donation jars have been placed around the community. The donations are designed to assist finances associated with Crouse’s care. As of Monday, jars were out and/or planned for ACE Hardware, Hy-Vee, Subway, Kmart, Fareway, Butik, Pudgy Pumpkin and Rainbow Café in Red Oak, and the Cast Iron Café and Casey’s in Stanton.

The crash was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, which released an official crash report on Monday morning.

According to the report, Crouse was driving a 1999 Saturn and was southbound on O Avenue, also known as M-63, at the main intersection with Highway 34 that leads to Stanton. It said she did not come to a complete stop at the intersection and entered the intersection to cross the highway southbound. At the same time, Ethan Fundermann, 26, of Red Oak, was eastbound on Highway 34 in a 2013 Mack tractor-trailer unit. The report said Fundermann attempted to brake, but the truck struck the passenger-side door of the Saturn, which spun, hit a stop sign, and entered the south ditch.

According to social media reports, a witness to the crash immediately went to Crouse and stayed with her for a few minutes until first responders arrived. She was wearing a seat belt and was still in the vehicle. The state patrol was on the scene within five minutes of the crash.

The report said Crouse was cited with failure to obey a traffic control device.