A Garner woman was killed and two others from Garner were injured in a three-vehicle crash at around 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, on Highway 18, Clear Lake.
The Iowa State Patrol reported Diane Schmidt, 65, was westbound on the highway in a 2012 Town & Country Chrysler mini-van when she crossed the center line and sideswiped a 2012 Ford Edge driven by 61-year-old Dennis Ostrem, sending it into the south ditch. Schmidt’s vehicle then stuck a 2016 Nissan Frontier driven by Tom Richardson, 60, head-on.
All of the drivers were in critical condition and transported to MercyOne North IowaMedical Center, where Schmidt later died as a result of her injuries.
The Clear Lake Police Department, Fire Department, Clear Lake EMS and Lake Towing assisted at the scene.
Highway 18 was closed for more than two hours as law enforcement investigated the accident.
