Single Vehicle Accident Results In Serious Charges
Mahaska County Sheriff's Office
New Sharon, Iowa – At approximately 1:08 am on October 1st, a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Ronald Versteegh was involved in an accident. According to an accident report filed by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s office, VerSteegh “was west bound on Hwy 102 and hauling a car on a trailer, was traveling at a high rate of speed. #1 [Dodge Ram] was unable to stop in time at a t-intersection, and knocked over a stop sign/flashing light, and an overhead intersection light. #1 [Dodge Ram] proceeded through the t-intersection of Hwy 102 and Galeston Ave. It then entered the ditch striking a ditch embankment which caused the trailer and car to become unhitched from vehicle #1 [Dodge Ram].”
A juvenile was airlifted from the high school stadium in New Sharon via Mercy Air to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
A complaint and affidavit filed by the Mahaska County Sheriffs Office following the accident states that “The defendant is accused of the crime of serious injury by vehicle in violation of section 707.6A (4) [Class C Felony] of the Iowa Criminal Code in that the defendant on or about the 1st day of October, 2011, (at approximately 0112 o’clock am.) at H.W.Y. 102 & Galeston Ave. New Sharon in Mahaska County, did unlawfully operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and a reckless manner, which resulted in a motor vehicle accident, causing his 6 year old son to receive serious injury.”
The complaint went on to say, “On the above date, time, and location the defendant drove while intoxicated at a high rate of speed with his 6 year old son in the vehicle. The defendant wrecked his truck, pulling a trailer, which was hauling a previous vehicle that he just wrecked. The defendant took his son, left the scene on foot, they were later located at the defendant’s residence. As a result of the serious injury observed by officers, an ambulance was called, and the child was later airlifted to Mercy.”
The statement goes on to say, “The defendant told officers that he was fine and only needed to go to the hospital if his son said he needed to go, and his son told him that he was fine. The defendant admitted to consuming two beers before he drove, and admitted that he did put a car into the ditch, but that he drove his truck through a ditch and parked his truck in a cornfield because he was mad at his girlfriend.”
Versteegh is also charged with the crime of Child Endangerment, a Class D Felony, OWI-2nd Offense, Public Intoxication, and No Insurance – Accident.
Versteegh’s bond is set at $10,000.
