(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two women were injured during an accident early Wednesday afternoon. Authorities say a passenger in a 2011 Ford Focus, 90-year-old Marilyn Stephenson, of Adair, was injured when the vehicle, driven by 81-year-old Helen Ernst, of Adair, sideswiped a 2014 Chevy pickup, driven by 57-year-old James Klemish, of Adair. Stephenson was transported by Adair EMS to Des Moines Methodist Hospital in downtown Des Moines. Ernst was transported to the Guthrie County Hospital by Stuart EMS.  Klemish wasn’t hurt.

The accident happened at around 12:15-p.m., as Klemish was traveling eastbound on White Pole Road near Stuart, and attempted to turn north, into a driveway.

Klemish told Deputies he was distracted by a railroad crew working on the tracks, and saw a road work sign, but failed to see the Ford until it was too late. Authorities noted the railroad crew was far enough away from the scene of the collision to not be a distraction. Furthermore, they said, a Guthrie County Roads crew was clearing ditch debris and DID have road work signs posted, but none of the signs were at or near the scene of the collision.

Damage from the collision amounted to $19,000. Klemish was cited for Failure to Yield upon left turn.