(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on nine separate accidents that took place between Feb. 15th and March 6th. Starting with the most recent, on Sunday, March 6th, 2022, deputies responded to a single vehicle accident near the intersection of Lewis Road and 560th St. in rural Lewis. A 2020 Freightliner Mid American work truck being operated by Gildardo Zarazua Gonzalez, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling East on Lewis Rd. when the driver fell asleep and entered the ditch near 560th St. The vehicle overturned and landed on the passenger side, coming to a rest in the South ditch just east of 560th St. The Mid American work truck received extensive damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

There were two accidents on February 24 in Cass County:  A single vehicle accident happened on Highway 83 just east of Wiota. A 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche being operated by Brianna Long, of Anita, was negotiating the curve traveling East and North outside of Wiota. The vehicle struck a slick portion of the roadway and entered the East ditch. During this course the vehicle struck several trees causing an approximated $7,000 worth of damage. Long suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment; And, a single vehicle accident occurred Feb. 24th on/near Interstate 80 at the 64 mile marker. Officials say a 2007 Chrysler Van being driven by Bobbi Moneer, of Red Oak, was traveling East on Interstate 80 when it struck a slick portion of the roadway and lost control. The vehicle entered the South ditch and ended up rolling, coming to a rest on it’s driver’s side. The damage was estimated at $10,000. No injuries were reported.

On February 23rd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single vehicle accident on Highway 83, West of Glacier Road. A 2020 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by Heather Bauerkemper, of Walnut, was traveling West and failed to negotiate a curve. In this action, the vehicle entered the North ditch and rolled, coming to rest on the driver’s side of the vehicle and facing East. Emergency responders that had arrived on scene extricated the woman and transported her by air ambulance to the hospital.  The vehicle sustained about $28,000 worth of totaling damage.

On February 18th, a single vehicle accident occurred near the intersection of Olive Street and Boston Road, north of Atlantic. A 2021 Kenworth being operated by Dakota Cronister, of Overland Park, KS, was traveling South on Olive Street. The driver told deputies he may have fallen asleep and lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch, striking a utility pole during this course. The vehicle and trailer partially rolled onto its left said and sustained significant damage estimated at $20,000. The utility pole received approximately $5,000 worth of damage as well. No injuries were reported during this accident.

On February 17th, a single vehicle accident happened near the intersection of 720th Street and Eastland Road, in rural Anita. A 1997 Plymouth Breeze being operated by a juvenile female had crested the hill on a gravel road and lost control. The operator attempted to correct the vehicle’s movement and further lost control, going into the ditch and eventually rolling. During this motion, the vehicle went through a field fence and came to a rest against a tree. The operator was able to get out, go to a nearby residence to request assistance and was eventually transported to a local hospital by EMS for injuries sustained during the accident. The vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 worth of damage and the fence received approximately $475 worth of damage.

On February 16th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle accident at the intersection of 5th and Harrison Street in Griswold. A 2002 Peterbilt being operated by Ethan Schmitt, of Griswold, was attempting to make a left-hand turn. In doing this, the trailer left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant. This action pulled the fire hydrant from the ground, causing an estimated $5,000 of damage to the hydrant. The vehicle sustained an approximated $300 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

And there were two separate accidents on Feb. 15th, in Cass County: A 2 vehicle accident occurred in Anita at the intersection of Highway 148 and Main Street. A 2014 Ford F150 being operated by Taylor Lewis, of Carthage, MO, rolled rearwards to allow room for an oncoming semi to turn. In doing this, the vehicle rolled into a 2021 Kia Forte being operated by Danielle Mardensen, of Adair. The F150 sustained an approximated $500 of damage while the Kia sustained approximately $1,500 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident; And, a single vehicle accident took place on the Interstate 80 Eastbound exit ramp 54 on the 15th.

A 2018 Nissan Rogue being operated by Elaine Baughman, of Kirkman, IA, was exiting Interstate 80 and negotiating a slight curve on the exit ramp. In doing this, the vehicle steered too far to the left and struck a cable barrier. The vehicle sustained approximately $6,000 worth of damage and the cable barrier sustained approximately $700 of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.