CLEAR LAKE — A Washington state woman pulled into the path of a Northern Iowa woman’s Ford Expedition, leading to a collision at a remote intersection north of Clear Lake that endangered both women and a baby.
The crash happened at approximately 8:27 a.m. on July 23, 2026, at the intersection of Eagle Avenue and 310th Street.
According to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Olivia Maxey-Ladson of Tacoma, Washington, was driving a silver 2016 Volkswagen Passat. She stopped at a stop sign and then proceeded west into the path of a southbound vehicle.
The southbound vehicle, a gray 2020 Ford Expedition driven by 29-year-old Kaitlyn Vanderpool of Thompson, struck the rear passenger-side door of the Volkswagen. Airbags deployed in both vehicles.
Vanderpool and her one-month-old baby were properly restrained and were not injured.
Maxey-Ladson was also wearing her seat belt but suffered injuries. She was transported to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City for evaluation of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash with assistance from Clear Lake Fire Medics, Fertile Fire and First Responders, the Clear Lake Police Department, Worth County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Towing.