Jaimee Lynn Small, 40, of Van Meter was issued a citation for unsafe passing Thursday after she swerved to avoid a truck that slowed on R Avenue and ran head-on into a Dallas County Deputy Sheriff’s patrol car.
Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Raymond Dirksen, 41, was traveling northbound on R Avenue with his emergency lights flashing. According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, the truck Small was following southbound on R Avenue reduced its speed for the oncoming emergency vehicle, and Small “did not see the truck slow in time and steered left to avoid a collision with the southbound truck.”
Small’s swerve brought her into the path of Dirksen’s patrol unit, and her vehicle “entered the northbound lanes of R Avenue and struck” the oncoming patrol vehicle, according to the report.
The collision occurred on R Avenue just north of Whitetail Lane in southern Dallas County.
The deputy sheriff’s vehicle, a 2013 Ford Explorer, entered the east ditch and travelled about 200 yards before coming to rest, while Small’s vehicle, a 2015 Honda Pilot, ended up partially blocking the northbound lane.
The airbags deployed in both vehicles, according to the report, and both drivers were using seatbelts.
Small’s vehicle sustained an estimated $8,000 in damage, and the patrol unit was estimated a total loss with $25,000 in damage.
Both drivers complained of pain from possible injuries, the report said, but neither was transported or hospitalized.
Initial reports indicated two children were passengers in Small’s vehicle, but the ISP report did not note passengers.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a state law that you not only slow down for emergency vehicles running lights and sirens but you also pull to the side of the road to give space and room. This means not only police/sheriff’s department, but fire and EMS. Too many instances can be given in the Dallas, Guthrie, Greene and Boone County area of individuals racing to stay ahead of emergency vehicles, not getting to the side of the road or, my personal favorite, drafting an emergency vehicle to where they’re going to rubberneck what’s going on. Time to be respectful and follow the law. You never know but the emergency vehicle you’re preventing from getting to the scene may be your own house on fire or family member in need of emergency care.