Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County say two young people were hurt, while a third was checked for injuries, following a three-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon. Authorities say the accident happened at around 3:40-p.m. just south of the intersection of 110th Street and Highway 59, in the northbound lane.

The crash occurred after a Harlan Community School District bus stopped to unload students at 1132 Highway 59. Officials say a 2006 Ford pickup, driven by 61-year old David Thies, of Earling, stopped behind the school bus. A 2013 Ford Explorer driven by 43-year old Cynthia Schechinger, of Earling, pulled up and stopped behind the pickup.

17-year old Joshua Mulligan, of Defiance, who was driving a 2001 Pontiac, was unaware both the pickup and SUV had stopped. His car hit the SUV from behind, causing it to be pushed into the rear of the pickup. At no time, was there any contact by the vehicles with the school bus.

Two passengers in Schechinger’s SUV, 11-year old Abby Schechinger, and 9-year old John Schechinger, both of Earling, were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, for treatment of minor injuries, and released. Joshua Mulligan was examined at Myrtue for possible injuries, and also released. All of the vehicles involved (except the school bus), sustained major damage.

Mulligan was cited for Failure to Stop within an assured and clear distance. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by personnel from the Harlan Fire Department and the Iowa State Patrol.