Schwertel Family Farms. This image is from a sunny fall day, but traffic in summers too has grown exponentially as once-quaint roadside fruit stands have grown into destination attractions in an eight-mile stretch between Centerville and Bluff Siding.
SUV rearends truck turning off Highway 35
CENTERVILLE, Wis. – A motorist was seriously hurt when his vehicle slammed into the rear of a truck slowing to turn into a roadside fruit and produce business west Centerville. The driver was airlifted to a hospital. His condition was not known immediately. Trempealeau County deputies said the impact pushed the truck into the driveway down to the Schwertel produce, nursery and cider garden complex. People in the truck were treated on-scene bumps and bruises. This about 5:15 p.m.
This new waiting to happen
The accident was on combined Highways 35 and 54 — part of the Great River Road north from LaCrosse. Yhe route carries seasonally heavy tourist traffic. Once small fruit stands have grown into large-scale attractions, some with family activities, live entertainment and as places to linger over cider. State highway engineers have been aware of a need to widen the route but failed to prioritize budgets to fund improvements. Rear-enders are not uncommon these days.