The Page County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday released information about a personal injury accident that took place Tuesday afternoon, about four-mile west of Clarinda. Authorities say the accident happened on Highway 2, near M Avenue, when a 2005 Pontiac Gran Am driven by 39-year old Stacy Lynn Hale, of rural Clarinda, was rear-ended by a2018 Chevy 3500 pickup, driven by 30-year old Dustin Donal Paul Thompson, of Villisca.

The crash happened as Hale was slowing and signaling to turn left (south) onto M Avenue. Thompson told authorities he was distracted by one of the rear seat occupants in his vehicle, and didn’t see the Hale vehicle slowing prior to turning. Hale was almost stopped due to oncoming traffic eastbound on Highway 2 when the collision occurred.

After the impact, the rear driver’s side portion of Thompson’s vehicle then went to the south and struck a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 74-year-old Judith Kay Clark, of Clarinda. Hale’s vehicle traveled across the eastbound lane of Highway 2 and came to rest in the ditch southwest of the intersection of Highway 2 and M Avenue.

Thompson’s vehicle came to rest on the north shoulder west of the intersection. Clark’s vehicle came to rest on the south shoulder just east of the intersection. Hale was transported to the Clarinda Regional Health Center for possible injuries by Clarinda Ambulance Service. None of the other persons involved claimed to be injured. Thompson was issued a citation for Following to Closely.

Damage to the vehicles amounted to $22,000 altogether. Clarinda Fire Department and Clarinda Ambulance Service assisted the Sheriff’s Office at the accident scene.