One person was hospitalized and two were cited in the multi-vehicle collision Tuesday evening on Iowa Highway 141 just west of the Raccoon River bridge near Perry.
The incident involved four vehicles, and two rear-end collisions preceded a head-on collision, according to a report from the Iowa State Patrol (ISP), which investigated the accident.
The incident began about 6:15 p.m., when Brandon Bardwell, 24, of Perry was traveling west in a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. Bardwell was preparing to turn south onto Hull Avenue, and he stopped his truck in order to allow an eastbound vehicle, a 2018 Jeep Compass, driven by Billy Lee Roberts, 46, of Waukee, to clear the intersection.
While waiting to turn, Bardwell’s vehicle was struck from the rear by a westbound 2014 GMC Terrain, driven by Jerry Culbertson, 67, of Bagley.
Culbertson’s vehicle was in turn struck from the rear by a westbound 2012 Ford F-15, driven by Timothy Helkenn, 58, of Schleswig. The impact with Helkenn’s vehicle forced Culbertson’s vehicle into the path of Roberts’ oncoming vehicle, which collided head-on with Culbertson’s vehicle.
Roberts’ Jeep rolled before coming to rest in the south ditch east of Hull Avenue. The other three vehicles came to rest in the roadway of Iowa Highway 141.
Culbertson was transported to the Dallas County Hospital by the Dallas County EMS. Bardwell, Helkenn and Roberts “refused treatment,” according to the ISP report.
Culbertson and Helkenn were issued citations for failure to stop in assured clear distance.
Bardwell was able to drive his vehicle from the scene, having sustained an estimated $2,500 in damage. The other vehicles were towed, with estimated damages ranging from $12,000 to $22,000.
The roadway was cleared and reopened to traffic shortly after 7 p.m.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s office, Perry Police Department, Perry First Responders, Perry Volunteer Fire Department and Dallas County EMS responded.
