UPDATE: Dave Cronk is banged up in crash but on the mend; other driver hurt, too

• Dave Cronk

Dave Cronk

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A popular retired River Falls teacher and now a longtime City Council member, Dave Cronk was badly injured in a two-car crash Friday evening, March 1, on Hwy. 35N and Radio Road. According to his wife Serena, the 70-year-old Cronk sustained seven broken ribs, broken shoulder blade and punctured lung in the crash that tied up traffic on the busy highway. The other driver, Kelley M. Seidling, 33, River Falls, was also badly hurt and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Despite the severity of these injuries, Serena said Cronk was able to crawl out of the convertible he was driving and phone their daughter.

Cronk was taken by ambulance to River Falls Area Hospital and later moved to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

He has since been brought to the transitional unit at Hudson Hospital for physical and occupational therapy. When he is able to function on his own, he will be released.

Cronk is able to converse as normal and is said to be eager to return home.

According to St. Croix County Sheriff Chief Deputy Scott Knudson, Cronk, in a 2005 Toyota Camry, was pulling out from Radio Road, turning north onto Hwy. 35. Seidling, southbound in a 2005 Toyota Prius, collided with Cronk on his driver's side.

The cars pretty much ended up in the highway's median. Both drivers were seatbelted. Knudson said Cronk was being given a $175.30 citation with four demerit points for failing to yield the right of way while turning.

A Regions Hospital spokeswoman said Seidling has since been released.

Cronk is an at-large council member but is running in the spring election as a council candidate for District 1 (Wards 1-4 in St. Croix County and Ward 5 in Pierce County). Cronk, 843 Leroy Lane, is opposed in this election by Dave Ostness, 531 N. Pearl St.

Cronk is not expected to appear at a City Council candidates forum at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13. He will also miss the next council meeting Tuesday night, March 12.

Serena says he expects to continue serving on the City Council, either as an at-large council member or, if he wins the April 2 election, as a District 1 council member.

Cronk taught for 32 years in the River Falls School District.

He started at Westside Elementary School before teaching social studies at the junior high and middle school grade levels. After retiring as a regular teacher he subbed for 10 years.

Tags: river falls, news, accidents