Mundwilers and Two St. Williams Sisters Recovering from Head-On Collision

Four Milbank residents are recovering after a two-car collision on February 14. The accident occurred approximately at 3pm. at South Dakota Highway 15 and 187th Street. Tim and Tana Mundwiler and Sister Rosemary Bell and Sister Janet Kosman of St. William’s Care Center were all transported by the Deuel County ambulance to Sanford Medical Center in Clear Lake. Tana and both Sisters were later airlifted to a Sioux Falls medical facility. The Mundwiler Suburban was southbound on Hwy 15 when the Jeep driven by Bell heading north crossed over the center line and the vehicles collided head on. Whiteout conditions at the time of the accident were cited as the cause.

Karen Russman, director of nursing at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, reports, “Sister Rosemary is home and Sister Janet should either be discharged today or tomorrow.” Russman says, ” They are requesting no visitors. They have suffered trauma along with their injuries and are asking for prayers for a speedy recovery.”

The Mundwilers have also returned home and Jamie Mundwiler, daughter of Tim and Tana, says, “My parents are recovering. Dad is really stiff and sore, but is doing well. Mom is in quite a bit of pain, but is able to get up and move. She also has a few cracked ribs and a compression fracture on her L3. She needs time for her body to heal itself.” Jamie says, “We appreciate all of the well wishes and prayers from everyone in the community. It’s one of the many things that makes Milbank special.”

The Deuel County Sheriffs Office, SD Game Fish and Parks, Deuel County Ambulance, SD Highway Patrol, Clear Lake Fire Dept and Brandt Fire Dept all responded to the scene. The crash is being investigated by the SD Highway Patrol.