Fort Dodge woman dies in two-vehicle crash
The Iowa State Patrol, sheriff’s deputies, Gilmore City Fire Department and Humboldt County EMS converge on an accident scene on Highway 3 Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 16, shortly after 5 p.m. Humboldt Independent photo by Kent Thompson.
By KENT THOMPSON
A Fort Dodge woman died and a Pocahontas woman suffered minor injuries from a two-vehicle head-on collision Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 16, on Highway 3, east of Gilmore City.
The accident occurred at 4:50 p.m., 1.5 miles east of Gilmore City, and just under one-half mile west of Delaware Avenue.
According to the accident report filed by the Iowa State Patrol, a 2006 Hummer H3 sport utility vehicle driven by Becky R. Rice, 59, of Pocahontas, was westbound on Highway 3. A 2019 Nissan Kicks passenger car driven by Brenda Lee Knight, 56, of Fort Dodge, was traveling eastbound on Highway 3.
Rice told the State Patrol that Knight's Nissan crossed the center line. Rice said she entered the north shoulder of the westbound lane in an attempt to avoid Knight's Nissan. The Nissan continued in the wrong lane as the Hummer tried to swerve and brake to avoid contact, the report stated.
The Nissan struck the front driver’s side of the Hummer SUV. The Hummer entered the north ditch and rolled on it top before coming to rest.
Knight was pronounced dead at the scene. Rice was able to free herself from the vehicle. Both drivers were using shoulder and lap belts. It was reported that a dog in Knight’s vehicle also perished in the accident. There were no other passengers.
Rice was taken to Humboldt County Memorial Hospital (HCMH) by HCMH Ambulance with minor, non-incapacitating injuries.
It was reported that blood and alcohol tests were conducted on Knight. Her body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office by Humboldt EMS.
There were no roadway or vehicle obstructions observed at the scene.
Both vehicles were total losses. There was an estimated $20,000 damage to Rice’s 2006 Hummer and an estimated $20,000 damage to the 2019 Nissan Knight was driving.
This is the first traffic fatality in Humboldt County in 2022.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, HCMH Ambulance and Humboldt County EMS and Gilmore City Fire Department and First Responders.
