NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter Dec 28 1967 "Local District Stunned By Christmas Tragedy" page one

Many in the Iron River area, stunned by the tragedy last Thursday which claimed the lives of four young people and resulted in serious injury to five others, extended their sympathy to the families of the auto accident victims whose Christmas holiday was marred by the incident.

The accident, a head-on collision at 2:55 p.m. Thursday on Highway US-2 nine-tenths of a mile east of County Road 643 near Iron River, claimed the lives of four young people, three of whom were students at Gogebic Community College, and injured five other persons. Three of those injured were also students at Gogebic Community College and two are local high school students.

Killed in what has been described as one of the worst holiday tragedies involving area persons to occur in recent years were Michael R. Adriansen, 19, of Iron River, driver of one of the cars; Marlene Clemens, 19, of Ironwood and Patricia L. Zimmer of Ontonagon.

Adriansen reportedly was killed instantly and was pronounced dead on arrival at Stambaugh General Hospital at Stambaugh. Miss Clemens died moments after being admitted to Crystal Falls Municipal Hospital at Crystal Falls, and Miss Zimmer was pronounced dead on arrival at the Crystal Falls Hospital, authorities said.

Also dead is Miss Ernestine Otto, 18, of Iron River, driver of the other vehicle involved. Miss Otto died Friday morning at Stambaugh General Hospital. She reportedly sustained a broken neck and a crushed chest in the mishap.
Miss Otto was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Otto of Iron River and was a senior at the Iron River high school.
Injured in the accident were Lana Sue Wilson, 18, and Susan Shiroda, 18, both of Ironwood, and Christine Rukkila, 18, of Wakefield. All were passengers in the Adriansen car. Passengers in the Otto auto who were injured include Ruth Jane Carlson, 18, and Melody Petroff, 17, both of Iron River. All the girls were taken to the Stambaugh General Hospital.

Miss Carlson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Carlson of Stambaugh township.
Miss Petroff is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Petroff of Hagerman Lake.
Miss Wilson is reported in serious condition with a fractured pelvis. Miss Shiroda is reported in fair condition with mouth lacerations and a fractured ankle. Miss Rukkila is reported in serious condition with a fractured leg and multiple lacerations about the mouth. The conditions of both Miss Carlson and Miss Petroff were reported critical. Miss Carlson sustained two broken legs and a dislocated hip. She was taken to Marquette for specialized care. Miss Petroff sustained a broken leg, dislocated hip and multiple bruises.
All six of the students were enroute to Peshtigo, Wis., where its GCC basketball team was scheduled to play a game last Thursday night with the Marquette branch of the University of Wisconsin team. The game was cancelled when word of the tragedy was received. Adriansen was a starting center for the college basketball team and the girls cheerleaders.
Adriansen was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Adriansen of Iron River, and the youth resided with his maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Gust Sword of 104 Shamrock St., Ironwood while a student at college. Miss Clemens, of 613 Cloverland Drive, Ironwood, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Clemens, and Miss Zimmer was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Zimmer on Ontonagon.
Miss Wilson is the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Wilson of 134 Aurora St., Ironwood. Miss Shiroda is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Shiroda of 205 E. Oak St., and Miss Rukkila is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Rukkila of Wakefield.

According to Michigan State police of the Iron River post, Adriansen was driving east on US-2 when he lost control of the car which went off onto the shoulder of the road. When he attempted to get the car back onto the three-lane highway, the vehicle reportedly crossed over into the west bound traffic lane and collided head-on with the Otto car.
Police said the highway was snow covered and icy. They estimated that Adriansen was traveling between 40 and 45 miles an hour at the time of the mishap and that the Otto car was traveling between 35 and 40 miles an hour. Both vehicles were said to be extensively damaged.
Authorities said Adriansen was driving a car owned by Harold Palmer of 401 Lake Ave., Ironwood, college basketball coach. Miss Clemens and Miss Zimmer were reported to be front seat passengers in the car. Rear seat passengers were Miss Wilson, Miss Shiroda and Miss Rukkila.
Both Miss Carlson and Miss Petroff were riding in the front seat of the Otto car at the time of the accident, police said.
At the time of the accident, two other cars carrying Mr. and Mrs. Palmer and the other members of the GCC team were ahead of the auto driven by Adriansen, and the occupants of those vehicles didn’t know about the tragedy until they were informed of the mishap at about 6:45 in the gym at Peshtigo.
The drivers of the other two cars stopped and waited for a time at Iron Mountain and also at Marinette, but figured Adriansen must have been ahead of them and continued on to Peshtigo, where the other players were getting ready for the game when news of the accident was received. The game, which was scheduled to begin at 7, was immediately cancelled.
~contributed by Dale Safford~