Oshkosh student responsible for last week’s car accident

A UW Oshkosh student failed to stop at a traffic light on High Avenue the morning of Nov. 2, causing a three-vehicle crash.

"The time of the crash was at 7:17 a.m.," Crime Prevention Officer Joe Nichols said.

The accident occurred when a green four-door 2003 Toyota Rav4 operated by 25-year-old Oshkosh student Mao Thao failed to stop at a traffic light while going east on High Avenue. Thao then proceeded to hit a black four-door 1995 Geo Prizm operated by 35-year-old Oshkosh citizen Tammy Gavel going Southbound on Wisconsin Street.

"This caused [Gavel] to spin in the intersection and collide with [a red four-door 2004 Honda Accord Ex operated by 43-year-old Oshkosh citizen Gabrielle Munson] who was turning right to go eastbound on High Avenue," the accident report stated.

Gavel rested her car against a utility pole on the southeast corner of the intersection. She had one visible injury to her face from her air bag deploying and an injury to her right knee. Nichols said he believes that no damage was done to the utility pole.

Munson stopped east of the intersection on High Avenue and reported having no injuries. Along with Munson in the car were her 10 and seven-year-old sons. Munson and her 10-year-old son were stated to have "no apparent injury" on the accident report. However, the seven-year-old was reported to have a possible head injury, but nothing severe.

[Thao] reported to have chest pain and trouble breathing, but like the other people involved, was not transported off the scene.

Thao and Gavel's vehicles were towed off the scene by Jim's Towing. Gavel's vehicle had damages to the front, side, rear and middle parts of the passenger side, and to the front of the driver's side. Thao's vehicle received damages to the front, rear and front driver side of the car. Damages were on the rear driver side and middle driver side of Munson's vehicle. Both Thao's and Munson's air bags did not deploy when the accident occurred.

"[The cars towed off the scene were] most likely totaled out," Nichols said.

All persons involved were said to have been wearing both shoulder and lap seat belts, according to the accident report. The drivers of the vehicles were also said to not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Since the persons involved appeared to be sober, no alcohol or drug tests were administered.

Thao was cited for failing to obey a red light and was given a $175.20 fine. According to the  accident report, "[Thao] was tired and distracted. [She] didn't realize she had gone through a red light."

 "[A person who is issued a citation] is given a court date that if they wish appear to court, that's up to them," Nichols said. "If they paid the fine then it just goes on their record. If they plead not guilty, then they have their initial appearance with the city attorney and after that it would be probably a court trial or hearing."

Although the University Police were on the scene directing traffic, they were not informed of the details of the accident, according to University Police Chief Joseph LeMire.

"I stopped by [the scene] real quick to inquire as to student or employee involvement and possible injuries [from Oshkosh Police Dept. Officer Mary Jo Derenne who was in charge of the scene]," LeMire said. "I was ‘told' one student [was involved] and no injuries to that student [occurred]. As to the details of the cause or outcome, that was not shared."