Pierce County woman killed in crash

A Spring Valley, Wis., woman was killed Friday night after a vehicle driven by her sister lost control in slippery conditions and hit a power pole.

Jeri Brunkhorst, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene, on County Road J near 780th Avenue, about a mile west of Highway 63 in the town of Martell.

The car's driver, Marsha Brunkhorst, 56, was transported to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries, according to Pierce sheriff's deputy Jean Spletstoser.

Two others in the vehicle — Ken and Denise Witucki, aged 67 and 50 respectively, also of Spring Valley — were also transported to RFAH as a precaution, authorities said.

Brunkhorst was northbound on County Road J, negotiating a curve and descending a hill, when she lost control, crossed the road entered the north ditch and struck a pole.

Speed and snowy road conditions were both factors in the crash. Heavy snow was falling in the area about that time.

The Brunkhorst name is well-known in the Spring Valley area. Marsha Brunkhorst won re-election in April 2007 as Spring Valley village president.

Both women were active at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley. Jeri completed a term on the church council last year.

More details will be posted when they become available.

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