Woman hurt in Christmas Eve white-out crash

BESSEMER TOWNSHIP — The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department investigated a Christmas Eve personal injury head-on accident that occurred during white-out conditions.

According to the accident report, a vehicle driven by Linda Ann Buttice, 72, of Bessemer, was headed east on U.S. 2, near Oak Lane, in Bessemer Township. Grace Marie Brauer, 18, of Saxon, Wis., was westbound on the highway.

Deputies said Buttice was traveling in a “white-out blizzard” when her vehicle crossed the center line in front of the oncoming Brauer vehicle.

Brauer noticed headlights coming at her just before the collision occurred, according to the deputy’s report of the 5:12 p.m. accident.

Both vehicles ended up in the eastbound lane, near the shoulder of the highway.

Both 2007 vehicles were totaled and Buttice was transported to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital by Beacon Ambulance.

Traffic was described on the accident report as moderate at the time of the crash.

The accident report was completed on Wednesday.

—Ralph Ansami