Two Des Moines men lost their lives after another driver struck their vehicle at an intersection on SW 9th – a street that has seen many car and pedestrian accidents. Police believe that excessive speed was a significant contributing factor in the fatal accident – the driver of the vehicle that crashed into the victims’ car has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
There have been roughly 230 crashes in the past five years along SW Ninth Street in roughly the same area according to the DOT, with over a hundred of those motor vehicle accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities. Speed has been a factor in a number of accidents as has distracted and impaired driving. Just crossing the street in the area can be dangerous – three pedestrians have lost their lives in separate incidences crossing SW Ninth since 2016.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of car accident fatalities every year in Iowa. According the the Iowa DOT, over 300 Iowans were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2018 alone. Between the years 2014 to 2018, alcohol impairment was involved in 27% of roadway deaths while speed factored into 23% of all fatal car accidents – roughly a third of those killed in all car accidents were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
To prevent injury car accidents, the Iowa Dot is encouraging drivers to slow down providing needed seconds to react before accidents occur. It is important to stay alert and sober, put down the phone and choose not to drive impaired. Always remember to buckle up to reduce your chances of being injured while driving. Driving responsibly can reduce car accidents and resulting injuries and fatalities. If you or a family member is injured in a Des Moines car accident, contact the personal injury law offices of Stoltze & Stoltze PLC for immediate assistance at515.989.8529.
