RIVER FALLS – A retired River Falls doctor was fighting for his life after a high-speed four-vehicle crash Aug. 5, but his family said he is on the long road to recovery.

Lifelink airlifted Dr. David M. Woeste, 79, to Regions Hospital in St. Paul after the crash with life-threatening injuries. According to his CaringBridge webpage, Woeste’s injuries were “severe and extensive including damage to several organs, a broken pelvis in multiple places, facial and mouth injuries, lost teeth, and several broken ribs.” 

“He has made it through several surgeries to this point and there may be more in the future. He has a long road to recovery, but is making progress. We appreciate all of your love, prayers and support,” his family stated in an update.

According to the police report, River Falls police were dispatched to a four-vehicle crash at 4:18 p.m. Aug. 5 at Cemetery Road and Main Street. Prior to the crash, dispatch had received several 911 calls about a Toyota Rav4 driving fast and erratically.

Philip Betzel, 81, River Falls, was heading south on Main Street in a 2025 Lexus RS approaching the Cemetery Road intersection. He was slowing because of a red light when Woeste’s 2025 Rav4 struck him, causing his airbags to deploy. His vehicle had significant damage to its driver’s side. Allina EMS transported Betzel to River Falls Area Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Tyler Stendahl, 33, the driver of a 2022 Peterbilt semi-truck hauling a trailer, said he was turning south onto Highway 29 from Cemetery Road (he had a green light) when the Rav4 ran the red light and struck his fuel tank. He said the Rav4 had struck two other vehicles before hitting his. He reported no injuries.

Loriann Joyce Price, 63, said she was also heading south on Main Street and stopped at the red light at the Cemetery Road intersection. After the Rav4 struck Betzel’s vehicle, it pushed him into Price’s 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, which had damage to the rear bumper. Three children ages 11, 10 and 7 were in the backseat wearing seatbelts. No one in Price’s vehicle reported injuries.

Police arrived to a chaotic scene with traffic backed up in all directions and dozens of people in the streets. The front of Woeste’s vehicle was destroyed, and the windshield was smashed and caved in. Woeste was unconscious and bleeding from several places. His breathing was labored but he had a pulse. EMS assisted police in extricating Woeste from the vehicle; he was then transported to River Falls Area Hospital to meet the Lifelink helicopter. Before going into the ambulance, he was able to squeeze an officer’s hand.

Price was able to drive her vehicle from the scene, but the other three were towed. The road was closed for 70 minutes.

On Aug. 6, Woeste’s daughter told police that her dad was in critical condition and had sustained multiple injuries including internal injuries where his intestines and colon were pushed up to his chest, a detached muscle from his pelvis, multiple pelvic fractures, a broken leg, broken nose, broken cheek, and missing teeth. She stated he had undergone multiple surgeries and was receiving blood transfusions. She said he has a history of diabetes, so she believed the crash was due to a medical emergency.

Life360 data revealed that Woeste had circled a roundabout at Radio and Paulson roads three times before the crash before heading onto Highway 35 at 77 mph. He took the Main Street exit, slowed to 10 mph through the downtown, accelerated to 42 mph near Dairy Queen and reached 77 mph by the time he passed Vine Street (in a 25-mph zone). Police will be sending a driver condition report to the Department of Transportation.

As of Aug. 17, Woeste’s CaringBridge page reports that he is getting stronger every day with hopes of being moved out of the ICU. Follow his progress on CaringBridge.org