WEST BEND, IA (Northwestiowanow) – A two-vehicle accident resulted in two people being hospitalized, including a seven-month-old infant, near West Bend Monday.
Deputies with the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of 535th Avenue and 475th Street near West Bend around 2:56 p.m.
According to an investigation, a 17-year-old driving a Buick LaCrosse was traveling westbound on 475th Street. Authorities allege the juvenile was driving while using an electronic communication device.
A Toyota Corolla, driven by 27-year-old Kaighcy Jo Alexis Origer of West Bend, was traveling westbound ahead of the Buick and slowing down to turn north onto 535th Avenue. Origer had activated the Corolla’s turn signal. The teen allegedly looked up while approaching the intersection but was unable to stop in time, rear-ending the Corolla.
The impact sent the Corolla rolling into the ditch before coming to rest on all four tires. Origer and a seven-month-old infant were transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Damage was estimated at $8,000 to the Buick and $10,000 to the Corolla.
The 17-year-old was cited for use of an electronic communication device, a simple misdemeanor. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, West Bend Fire and Ambulance, Wickman’s Towing and West Bend Ford.
