Sheldon, Iowa– A Paullina 19-year-old was taken to the hospital after an accident near Sheldon on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office reports that at about 8:20 a.m., 40-year-old Melissa Baker of Sanborn was driving a 2012 Dodge Durango westbound on Highway 18, a half mile east of the Highway 60 interchange. They tell us that 19-year-old Sarah Jansma of Paullina was also westbound on 18 in a 2006 Chevy.
The report says that Baker was preparing to turn south onto Nettle Avenue. She says she had her turn signal on and was starting to turn when Jansma approached from behind at a high rate of speed. Baker tells the deputy that she tried to make the turn but was hit from behind. Jansma stated that she did not see Baker preparing to turn and tried to avoid hitting Baker but was unable to. The deputy’s report says that an independent witness stated she saw Baker preparing to turn and Baker’s brake lights come on. The witness stated that Jansma did not stop and ran into the back of the Baker Dodge.
SCAT took Jansma to Sanford Sheldon Hospital. Baker did not report any injuries.
Baker’s Dodge Durango sustained $7500 in damages, and Jansma’s Chevy was totaled, with $6000 in damages.
Jansma was charged with failure to maintain control.
