RURAL CERRO GORDO COUNTY – A Belmond man allegedly ran down a bicyclist on a rural Cerro Gordo county road and then fled the scene before he was located by law enforcement with an open container of booze and arrested.
The incident took place on Friday, May 18 at about 12:21 PM, when the Cerro Gordo Sheriffs Office responded to a hit and run involving a truck and bicycle.
Abby Rodriguez, age 34 of Sante Fe, New Mexico, was riding her bike southbound on Balsam Avenue when she was struck from behind by a Blue 2005 Ford F150. The pickup left the scene and was located in Franklin County by the Iowa State Patrol. The driver of the Ford F150 was identified as 65-year-old Joseph McLaughlin of Belmond. McLaughlin was arrested for leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and open container.
Rodriguez was transported to Mercy Hopsital for injuries by Garner Ambulance.
Rodriguez was wearing a bike helment at the time of the accident.
The accident remains under investigation.
