COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Nebraska man accused of a fatal hit-and-run in western Iowa is set to stand trial later this summer. The Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs reports 44-year-old Tracy Peniska has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatality accident and obstructing prosecution. His trial has been set for Aug. 9th. If convicted, Peniska could face up to seven years in prison.

Police say Peniska was driving his car March 9 on the Interstate 480 bridge in Council Bluffs when he hit a pedestrian, 29-year-old Brett Jensen. Police say Peniska reported his car stolen to Omaha police later that night, but eventually told police he had made up the stolen-car story.

Peniska is free on $5,000 bail.

Two people were injured during a single-vehicle accident early this (Saturday) morning, on Atlantic’s east side. Atlantic Police Sgt. Cody Eckles told KJAN news the female driver stated a rear tire blew out as the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 7th Street (Highway 6), at around 12:20-a.m.  The car went out of control and skidded for about 19-feet before hitting a brick pillar on the grounds of the Atlantic Catholic Cemetery, on the south side of the road.

(click on individual images – it will open another page from which you can click again to enlarge the picture) – Ric Hanson/photos.

Eckles said the driver and a male passenger were injured, but the extent of their injuries was not immediately known. LifeNet helicopter was called-in to transport the male victim from the Cass County Memorial Hospital to another facility. Dispatch reports at the time said he had suffered head injuries and was in-and-out of consciousness.

No names have been released.

A nine-year old female was listed in critical condition Friday at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, following what was described as a likely medical emergency in the pool at the Stuart Aquatic Center. According to the Stuart Police Department, officers and Stuart Rescue personnel responded to the center at around 2:40-p.m, after they received word about an unresponsive juvenile female.

When emergency services arrived they were directed to an unconscious female child who was with lifeguards at the pool. Lifeguards were performing CPR at the time of the emergency services arrival. Stuart Police and Stuart Rescue immediately began providing medical care to the child. The child was stabilized and transported by ambulance to the Stuart landing pad located on SW 7th St, and later transported by Mercy One to Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.

As of the most recent report, authorities said it is believed that the child suffered a medical emergency while in the pool, however an investigation will continue into the incident. Witnesses and staff at the Aquatics Center said that lifeguards immediately noticed that there was a problem with the child while she was swimming in the pool and jumped in to save her. 

Due to privacy concerns, HIPPA and the age of the child, no further information will be released regarding the identity or medical history of the child.