Four injured in I-80 accident

Paramedics transported three Illinois residents, including a 2-year-old boy, to Skiff Medical Center following a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 on Saturday. According to the Iowa State Patrol, Arlene M. Brown, 21, of Bloomington, Ill., was traveling west on Interstate 80 at the 157 mile marker near the Colfax exit when she lost control of hervehicle at the South Skunk River overpass, driving into the south ditch and striking the center guard rail in the median. Brown and three passengers, including 37-year-old Melissa Duncan, a 13-year-old male and the 2-year-old boy, were transported to Skiff by Colfax ambulance units to be treated for possible injuries. John Easley, director of marketing and public relations for Skiff, said they were treated in the emergency room for minor injuries and released. The state patrol report indicated Brown was distracted when handing a cell phone to a rear seat passenger in the of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, taking evasive action by braking and swerving when a vehicle ahead of her appeared to enter her lane of traffic. Brown, Duncan and the 13-year-old all were wearing seatbelts, and the 2-year-old was properly secured in a child safety seat, the report stated. The vehicle sustained an estimated $9,000, and damage to the guard rail was estimated at $1,500.

Mandi Lamb can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 424 or via e-mail at mlamb@newtondailynews.com.