At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, the Iowa State Patrol responded to a report of a semi tractor-trailer accident five miles south of Jefferson on 290th Street near K Ave. Thirty-four-year-old Bradley Edward Ruhnke of Carroll was driving westbound on 290th Street in a 2002 International when he lost control, crossed the center line and hit the corner of the bridge spanning Greenbrier Creek. The semi rolled, coming to rest hanging over the side of the bridge with the trailer in the creek. Ruhnke was transported to Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson by Greene County Emergency Medical Services and later airlifted to a Des Moines hospital. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources also responded to the accident scene as there was an estimated 200 gallons of diesel fuel and other fluids released in to Greenbrier Creek during the accident. Emergency responders placed absorbent booms into the creek to catch and absorb the fluids, and the spill has been contained. The DNR is continuing to monitor the clean-up efforts being conducted by contractors in conjunction with the trucking company as they consider appropriate enforcement action.
