Newton woman killed in car crash Saturday

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A multi-vehicle crash claimed the life of a 62-year-old Newton woman Saturday night, and charges are pending against a Cambridge man who fled the scene of the accident.

Authorities received a report at 5:15 p.m. Saturday of an accident involving injuries about five miles west of Baxter on Highway F17. Investigators determined the vehicle that had fled the scene crossed the center line on the highway, side-swiping a 2007 Dodge minivan driven by Karen Finch, 39, of Baxter and causing her vehicle to collide head-on with an oncoming 2005 Honda Civic driven by Erica Trafford, 26, of Baxter, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

Barbara Purtilo of Newton, a passenger in Finch’s vehicle, was killed. Finch was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines by Colfax ambulance, and Tafford was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Several hours following the accident, officials located the suspect vehicle at a Cambridge residence and identified the driver as 47-year-old Roger Hofer. The investigation is ongoing.

According to Iowa Courts Online, Hofer was convicted of a second offense drunken driving charge in 2000. Funeral services for Purtilo are pending at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton.