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Hwy 18 Collision Sends One Person To The Hospital

January 28, 2026




(Sheldon) (KIWA)– A Rock Rapids woman was taken to the hospital after a 3-vehicle crash west of Sheldon on Monday.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says 20-year-old Ashtyn Kroeze of Sioux Center was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Impala eastbound on Highway 18, three miles west of Sheldon. Deputies say Kroeze approached stopped traffic and moved onto the shoulder to pass the vehicles ahead. While attempting to re-enter the roadway, his vehicle struck the rear of a 2018 Tesla Model 3 stopped in traffic, driven by 20-year-old Aitzy Salas of Rock Rapids. The impact caused Kroeze’s Impala to cross the center line and collide with a westbound 2019 Lincoln Nautilus operated by 54-year-old Michelle Miedema of Sheldon.

Salas was transported to Sanford Sheldon Hospital by the Sheldon Community Ambulance Team (SCAT).  Kroeze and Miedema refused transport.

Kroeze’s vehicle received about $4,000 damage. The Salas vehicle received about $5,000 damage, and Miedema’s vehicle received about $15,000 damage.