Squad Car Involved in Intersection Mix-up

Grinnell Police

At 3:55 p.m. on January 24th,while on an emergency call, a Grinnell Police Officer was involved in an accident along with 3 other vehicles. There were no injuries to anyone involved.

Officer Christopher Dixon was driving a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria East on 5th Ave. with lights and sirens active. The second vehicle was a 2004 Chevrolet Impala driven by Sharon Wilson, also of Grinnell, which was traveling north on Highway 146. The third vehicle was a 1995 Plymouth Voyager driven by Karin Stein of Kellogg, and parked behind her was Audrey Anderson in her 2009 Dodge Avenger. Stein and Anderson were sitting at the lighted intersection facing West on 5th Ave.

January 24 accident in Grinnell

Officer Dixon was passing through the intersection on the red light with his lights and sirens activated. Wilson, having a green light, failed to observe the lights and sirens of the police car entering the intersection. Dixon and Wilson collided in the intersection. After the initial impact, Wilson’s car then stuck the 3rd vehicle of Stein. Stein’s vehicle was then pushed backwards into Anderson’s vehicle while they waited at the red light and for the emergency vehicle to pass.

Since the accident involved a city police officer, the investigation was handled by the Iowa State Patrol.

Thanks to R.Leonard for his assistance in this story.