On Friday, August 16th, 2024, at approximately 2:40 PM, deputies from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a crash with possible injuries near the intersection of County Road 17 and Birch Lake Rd in Melrose Township.
When deputies arrived, they saw a fishing boat in the south ditch of County Road 17, a damaged Lincoln SUV parked on Birch Lake Rd., as well as a Chevrolet truck with a damaged boat trailer still attached behind it, also parked on Birch Lake Rd.
The driver of the 2013 Lincoln MKX was Jean A. Marthaler, 54, from Sauk Centre. She told deputies she accidentally pushed on the accelerator when she meant to break when the vehicle in front of her was slowing to turn north on Birch Lake Rd. The vehicle in front of her was driven by Gary A. Middendorf, 63, from Melrose. He and his wife, Eileen I. Middendorf, 62, from Melrose, were driving their 2006 Chevrolet Silverado and towing their 2008 Crestliner fishing boat. Gary told deputies he noticed Jean was not slowing down as he was slowing to turn. As he turned north onto Birch Lake Rd., she collided her vehicle into the boat and trailer, sending the boat off the trailer into the ditch. The boat trailer received significant damage as well as the front right side of Marthaler’s Lincoln.
Marthaler was treated on scene by Melrose Ambulance Staff. Eileen Middendorf was evaluated by Melrose Ambulance Staff and was treated at the Melrose Hospital for suspected minor injuries.
Assisting on scene was Melrose Fire and Rescue as well as Melrose Ambulance.
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