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Distracted driving causes an accident in Union County

News

December 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – One person complained of pain/possible injury, following an accident Friday afternoon in Union County. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2017 Dodge pickup driven by 39-year-old Jeremiah Swietlik, of Kellerton, was traveling south on Highway 169 near Nuthatch Avenue at around 1:55-p.m., when, according to Swietlik, he looked down for something. As he did so, his pickup crossed the center line of the road and sideswiped a northbound 2006 GMC pickup that was pulling a car trailer, and driven by 43-year-old Ryan Still, of Mount Ayr.

The Dodge pickup went out of control after it contacted the GMC pickup, and entered the east ditch before rolling over twice and coming to rest on its wheels. The car trailer became detached from Still’s pickup after being hit as well. The trailer came to rest in the east ditch. Authorities say the trailer was destroyed by the collision with the Dodge pickup. The total amount of damage was estimated at $13,500.

No citations were issued, but the report stated Swietlik failed to maintain the proper lane.