The Iowa State Patrol has released additional details about a school bus-versus-car accident that occurred Sunday afternoon on Interstate 80, in Cass County. Authorities say a 2005 Buick Lacrosse driven by 16-year old Natalie Caroline Gutschenritter, of Farragut, was westbound on I-80 at around 2:38-p.m., just east of the Highway 71 exit, when she lost control of the vehicle while changing lanes. The car slid through the median and came to rest in the middle of the eastbound lanes. A Harlan Community School District bus driven by 69-year old Neal August Gaul, of Earling, was traveling eastbound and unable to avoid hitting the car.

Following the collision, the Buick came to rest in the middle of the eastbound lanes, while the Thomas bus slid off the south shoulder, coming to rest with the right rear portion of the bus on top of a solid metal guardrail. Gutschenritter was transported by Atlantic Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. She was later cited for Failure to Maintain Control. None of the 17 persons reported to have been on the bus were injured. A Harlan Community School District bus was dispatched to transported occupants of the first bus.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue, the Iowa State Patrol and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies all responded to the scene, along with Medivac.