FORT DODGE – An Iowa woman who drove on the wrong side of a highway and smashed into on-coming vehicle, causing a child’s life to be lost, has pleaded guilty to traffic infractions.
Six people were injured – one fatally – in a Christmas day accident outside Fort Dodge when two vehicles collided.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, at 10:51 AM December 25, 2015, a 2007 Jeep Wrangler driven by 21-year-old Ruth Tomlinson of Fort Dodge was traveling east on county road D20 5 miles east of Fort Dodge when the vehicle drifted across the center line. At the same time, a 2008 Chevy pickup driven by 28-year-old Justin Henry of Webster City was traveling westbound at that location and the two vehicles collided.
As a result of the collision, Tomlinson was injured. Justin Henry and his passengers – 24-year-old Brooke Ford of Webster City, an infant, a 3-year-old child and a 6-year-old child were all injured. All injured persons were taken to local hospitals. The 6-year-old girl later died from her injuries.
Last week, Ruth Tomlinson pleaded guilty to in Webster county court to charges of driving the wrong way on a two-lane highway, failure to maintain control, and no insurance.
She must pay $1410.00, $195.00, and $735.00, respectively, in fines and court fees as a result. She also lost her license for 180 days.
This is really pathetic. It’s time for our legislature to act. As much as I hate adding new laws, it’s time for a “Negligent operation of a motor vehicle resulting in death or serious injury” statute to be added.
The girl in Osage who ran over and killed another young woman, while texting got off with nothing but traffic charges as well.
That is riciculous.