CHARLES CITY — A recent mid-afternoon collision at a Charles City intersection left multiple children needing medical evaluation and resulted in citations for both drivers involved, as well as thousands of dollars in property damage.
The Charles City Police Department reported that officers responded to the scene of a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of 13th Avenue and E Street at approximately 3:27 p.m. on Friday, January 16.
According to the official police narrative, 45-year-old Jessica Rodriguez of Charles City was driving a black 2014 Buick Enclave southbound on E Street. Authorities state that Rodriguez’s vehicle slid past a posted stop sign, crossing into the intersection where it struck a purple 2013 Nissan Rogue.
The Nissan, operated by 31-year-old Ronell Evans of Chicago, Illinois, was traveling eastbound on 13th Avenue when the collision occurred.
Following the crash, emergency personnel transported multiple children to a local hospital. Police noted that the transport was a precautionary measure for further evaluation of minor bumps and bruises sustained during the impact. The exact number of children involved and which vehicles they were riding in was not specified in the initial police report.
The collision caused significant property damage to both SUVs, with authorities estimating total damages at $20,000.
Following an investigation at the scene, police confirmed that multiple citations were issued to both Rodriguez and Evans. The specific nature of the traffic violations for each driver was not detailed in the police narrative but records show Evans was charged with no insurance and no registration, costing him $796.75 and $89.50, respectively. Evans had also been nabbed late last year for speeding, twice, costing him $262 and $175.
Rodriguez got it worse, according to records, as cops laid down several citations:
- FAILURE TO USE CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICE (multiple counts)
- FAIL TO OBEY STOP SIGN AND YIELD RIGHT OF WAY
She awaits a pre-trial conference on her case, set for April 8.