Two-car accident partially closes U.S. 2

IRONWOOD - A two-car accident shortly after noon on Friday partially closed U.S. 2 at Lowell Street while one of the vehicles was removed from the highway.

According to a Gogebic County Sheriff's Department report, Frank Rimkus, 85, of Ironwood, was driving his red 2000 Chevy Cavalier north on Lowell Street when he allegedly failed to stop at the stop sign, hitting the rear of a 2002 Buick minivan driven by Robert E. Snow Jr., 48, of Ironwood, traveling east on U.S. 2.

The collision caused Snow's vehicle to swerve and flip, landing on its roof.

Deputies of the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department, Ironwood Public Safety Department and Beacon Ambulance responded to the scene.

Deputy Donald Cvengros, along with Ironwood Public Safety Deparment officer Matt Sterbenz and Beacon paramedics, freed Snow from his vehicle.

Rimkus' vehicle sustained minor damage in the collision, while Snow's was totaled, according to the report.

Cvengros observed a small amount of paint transfer along with some dents on the rear of Snow's vehicle.

Neither driver sustained serious injuries from the collision. Snow did receive minor treatment from paramedics on-scene, and both were released from the scene, according to the report.

Rimkus told Cvengros that he stopped at the stop sign and waited for several cars to go by before starting to cross U.S. 2, according to the report, and didn't see Snow's car.

However, statements in the report from both Snow and witnesses dispute Rimkus's claim that he stopped.

To make matters worse for Snow, he was driving without a license. He was arrested later in the day - he had been released from the scene before it was discovered he didn't have a license - and charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license. Bond was set at $1,000 and he posted the required 10 percent to be released.

Rimkus was cited for disregarding a stop sign.