A teenage girl died and her passenger was injured following a two-vehicle collision Monday near the Mason City Municipal Airport in Cerro Gordo County.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of Hickory Avenue and 275th Street.
The driver of a 2008 Subaru Outback, a 15-year-old girl from Clear Lake, was traveling north while a 50-year-old man from Clear Lake was headed south in a 2024 GMC 3500 truck.
The crash report states that the teen lost control of her vehicle, resulting in a collision with the truck. Unfortunately, she did not survive her injuries.
Aali Martinez, also from Clear Lake, who was a passenger in the Outback, sustained injuries and was taken to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
The accident is currently being investigated by authorities including the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Lake Police Department, Clear Lake Fire/EMS, Mason City Fire Department, and Mercy Air.
CRASH INVESTIGATION
Each year, motor vehicle crashes in this country kill roughly 36,000 people and injure 1.9 million more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, an experienced attorney and Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Aali Martinez may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim pending an investigation.
Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, said, “Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” he added.
