Truck – Auto accident on C-38 & Otter Avenue Results In Fatality (Updated)

Dennis Morrice on-scene report:

 

Information Provided by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office:

(Le Mars) — On July 19th, 2018 at 1:17 p.m. the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office received numerous 9-1-1 calls concerning a two vehicle accident with injuries at county road C-38 and Otter Avenue (southeast of Le Mars).  Law enforcement, Fire and EMS from multiple agencies responded to the scene.  Emergency units began arriving on the scene at 1:24 p.m.

Although the accident remains under investigation, we now know the following:

A 2006 Chevy Malibu, owned by Haley Abbott of Rockwell City, was north bound on Otter Avenue approaching the intersection with C-38.  This vehicle was driven by 16 year old Daisy Pippett and was occupied by a five-year old female and a three-year old male family members of Pippett.

A 1998 International straight truck owned and operated by Scott Rohmiller, age 59, of Le Mars was heading eastbound on C-38 nearing the intersection with Otter Avenue.  The straight truck vehicle was also occupied by a passenger Nicholas (Nick) Anthony of Le Mars.

For unknown reasons, the vehicle driven by Pippett failed to yield from the stop sign and pulled onto C-38.  Rohmiller took evasive action, but was unable to avoid the collision.  Contact was made with the Pippett vehicle which ultimately caused it to roll onto its top on the north shoulder of C-38.  As a result of this action, at least one of the small children was ejected from the vehicle.

Four of the persons involved in the accident went to Floyd Valley with injuries ranging from minor to life threatening,  Two went by private vehicle, one by Oyens Ambulance, and one by Remsen Ambulance.  The fifth person was taken by Mercy Air Care to a Sioux Falls Hospital.

Daisy Pippett, age 16, did not survive her injuries and has died as a result of the accident.  The three and five year olds remain hospitalized in a Sioux Falls hospital.  Rohmiller and Anthony were treated and released from Floyd Valley with minor injuries.