–A teenager was cited after distracted driving contributed to a 2-vehicle collision in the rural West Bend area earlier this week.
According to the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office, a 2006 Buick La Crosse, owned by Tara Hoch of Mallard, was traveling westbound on County Road B63 just before 3 PM on Monday (9/28). The vehicle was being driven by an unidentified 17-year-old, who was using an electronic communication device.
As the teenage driver approached the intersection with 535th Avenue, 3.5 miles west of West Bend, he failed to notice a 2005 Toyota Corolla, driven by 27-year-old Kaighcy Jo Alexis Origer of West Bend, attempting to turn and struck the vehicle from behind.
The Origer vehicle ended up rolling into the ditch, coming to rest on all four tires. The accident report states that she had a blinker on at the time of the crash, indicating her intention to turn.
Origer and a 7-month-old passenger were transported by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Damage to their Corolla was estimated at $10,000. Damage to the La Crosse was estimated at $8,000. The teenage driver was cited for Using an Electronic Device while Driving, a Simple Misdemeanor.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, West Bend Fire and Ambulance, Wickman’s Towing and West Bend Ford.
