(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports no there were no injuries following three separate accidents over the past five days. Authorities said a Dallas County man – 61-year-old Edgar Benedict, of Dawson – was cited for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability (insurance), after the 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan he was driving struck a parked vehicle in Jamaica (IA).

The accident happened at around 6:40-p.m., Friday. Authorities received a call from Curt Radebaugh, of Jamaica, who said he heard a loud noise outside of his residence. When he went to investigate, Radebaugh noticed a gray van driving away and saw his 2014 Chevy Impala had been hit on the rear driver’s side. The vehicle showed evidence of a silver-gray paint transfer from the suspect vehicle that struck it, and a dent. A broken taillight not belonging to the Chevy was found at the scene. The impact caused $2,000 damage to the car.

A neighbor mentioned to the investigating deputy that his uncle – Edgar Benedict – was staying at the residence, and drove a gray mini-van. The suspect vehicle was located later that evening by Perry Police. During questioning, Benedict admitted that he was driving, but thought he had struck a rock. Damage to his van amounted to $1,000.

Late Sunday morning (Feb. 23rd), a Guthrie County Deputy was dispatched to Juniper Avenue and 310th Road, following a crash notification from a cell phone to the Guthrie County dispatch center, about a possible collision. When he arrived on the scene, the deputy spoke with 49-year-old Kirk Roccholz, of Casey, who said the 2010 Chevy Cobalt he was driving, went off the road and struck Guthrie County Secondary Roads Department “Stop Sign Ahead,” posted sign. The car also struck a culvert at a field entrance, went over the culvert, and came to rest in the brush/shrubbery. The report said Roccholz showed no signs of impairment or intoxication. His vehicle sustained $8,000 damage. Damage to the road sign was estimated at $500. No citations were issued.

And, at around 6:45-p.m., Sunday, a 2024 Chevy Suburban driven by 40-year-old David Reha, of Stuart, struck a deer on Wagon Road in rural Guthrie County. The vehicle sustained an estimated $10,000 damage.