WEST DES MOINES – Illegally changing lanes caused an Iowa daycare van loaded with children to be struck by a semi, causing injury to seven children and two adults.
Police in West Des Moines say that on June 19th, 2024, at 1:56 PM, their officers were dispatched to the area between Cody Drive and EP True Pkwy on 88th Street for a two-vehicle crash. The initial investigation showed that a daycare van left it’s lane and was struck by a semi.
As a result of this accident, seven children and two adults were transported to local hospitals for apparent non life-threatening injuries.
A thorough police investigation of this incident was conducted and the driver of the daycare van, William Florence of West Des Moines, was cited for Improper Use of Lanes Iowa Code 321.306(2).
Records show that in March of this year, Florence was cited for speeding (SPEEDING ‘OVER 55 ZONE’ (16 THRU 20 OVER THE LIMIT)) in Polk county by the Iowa State Patrol. He was convicted and ordered to pay $262.00 in fines and court fees. He has yet to pay, and the balance has been sent to collections.