Teen in critical condition after accident

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By Steven Martens | Saturday, May 26, 2007 4:43 PM CDT | () comments

ELDRIDGE, Iowa — Two days before his high school graduation ceremony, a Donahue, Iowa, teen was fighting for his life Friday after being injured in a car accident.

Justin Robert Wold, 18, a senior at North Scott High School, was taken to the University Hospitals in Iowa City in critical condition after a car accident early Friday on U.S. 61 about two miles south of DeWitt.

Wold was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup truck southbound just after midnight when he lost control of the truck, according to a report from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. The truck entered the median and rolled over, landing on its wheels in the northbound lane of the highway.

Wold was ejected from the vehicle and taken to Iowa City by helicopter.

His two passengers, Kelsey Lee Jenkins, 18, and Alicia Bussian, 18, both of Eldridge, were taken to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport. Bussian was treated and released, and Jenkins was listed in good condition Friday, a hospital spokesman said.

All three students are slated to graduate on Sunday.

North Scott High School Principal Mike Zimmer said he read a news release about the accident to seniors who attended Friday morning’s rehearsal graduation. He said several students already had visited the hospital by Friday afternoon and school counselors are available to students.

Zimmer said the school is taking a “wait-and-see” approach before deciding how to address the accident at Sunday’s graduation ceremony.

“We will do something that will be appropriate to whatever his status is at that time,” Zimmer said. “Obviously, we’re hoping for the best.”

Zimmer said a member of Wold’s family could be allowed to accept his diploma in his place.

Wold is the son of John Robert Wold Jr., who died in August after his motorcycle collided with a deer in the 12200 block of St. Ann’s Road.

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.