Woman receives minor injuries in collision with semi on Avenue of the Saints

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City woman was involved in a accident Tuesday afternoon on the Avenue of the Saints south of Charles City when her car was struck by a semi and she had to be extricated from her vehicle.

According to the report by the Iowa State Patrol, Lorraine Ann Baker, age 81, was driving a 2010 Ford Fusion southbound in the outside lane of Highway 27/218 near the intersection with 240th Street, a little before 3 p.m. Tuesday.

A Kenworth semi tractor and trailer being driven by Austin W. Lieving of Illinois was behind Baker’s car and Lieving moved to the inside lane to avoid the car, which was slowing.

Baker then turned left toward the intersection from the outside lane, in front of the semi, causing a collision where the front right corner of the semi hit the driver side of the car, the State Patrol report said.

Baker’s car came to rest in the median and the semi went into the outside ditch, stopping alongside a tree, the report said.

The Charles City Fire Department and Charles City Fire Rescue responded to the scene and used mechanical tools to extract Baker from her car. She was transported to Floyd County Memorial Hospital by AMR ambulance with what the State Patrol report said were likely minor injuries.

Lieving was not injured. Both drivers were wearing safety belts.

Baker was charged with making an improper turn at an intersection, the report said.

The State Patrol report said the car was a total loss and the semi had about $10,000 damage.

Also responding to the scene was the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.