Mills County Sheriff’s officials say a distracted driver caused an accident in a construction zone Wednesday evening, that resulted in a woman being transported to the hospital. Authorities say 48-year old Maria Harger, of Shenandoah, was legally stopped at a stop sign for a construction zone on Highway 34. An eastbound 2011 Chevy driven by Kyle O’Banion, of Glenwood, collided with the rear of Harger’s 2015 Chevy, at around 6:45-p.m.

O’Banion told authorities he was distracted by children in the back seat. His vehicle failed to slow down for the construction zone, despite several warning signs. He saw Harger’s vehicle at the last second and tried to swerve into the left lane to avoid the collision, but his vehicle clipped the left rear of her car Following the collision, O’Banion’s Chevy continued into the westbound lane and came to rest in the north ditch.

Harger was transported by Malvern Rescue to the hospital. O’Banion was cited for Driving While Suspended and Failure to Maintain a reasonable and proper speed.