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2 non-injury accidents in Union County on Friday

News

October 9th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office & Creston Police reports two separate, non-injury accidents occurred Friday. The first happened at around 7:10-a.m., on U-S Highway 34. Authorities say a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 27-year-old Robin Mae Johnson, of Leon, was traveling westbound, when a deer came out of a ditch and into the path of the vehicle. Johnson was unable to avoid the deer. Her car struck the animal, causing damage to the left front side of the car and its windshield. The damage was estimated at $2,000.

The second accident happened at around 4:05-p.m., Friday. Creston Police say a 2004 Volvo semi tractor-trailer hauling a full load of pigs, was traveling east on Highway 34 in Creston. A traffic light changed to yellow as the semi approached. Authorities say the driver, 74-year-old Dennis Michael Kinsella, of Creston, knew he couldn’t stop in-time, especially with a full load, so he continued through the intersection.

A 2009 Pontiac G5 driven by 24-year-old Charles Thomas Claytor, of Creston, was traveling to turn south onto Laurel Street from Highway 34. He told Police he was in the intersection waiting to turn, and did not see the semi before his car was struck. Following the impact, his car was sent sliding across the road. It struck a 2017 GMC Canyon (pickup) driven by 52-year-old Kara Sue Larson, of Corning, as it was stopped at the traffic light.

The semi and GMC Canyon sustained minor damage ($1,500 total) and were driven from the crash scene, but the Pontiac was totaled ($5,000 damage), and was towed from the scene. Police cited Charles Claytor for having no proof of insurance.