Driver Charged in Incident That Damaged Vehicles, Poles Last Week in Storm Lake

A driver received multiple charges for striking several vehicles and damaging utility and light poles last Friday in Storm Lake.

According to the Storm Lake Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 3:14 Friday afternoon in the 12 hundred block of Seneca Street. A vehicle driven by Cullen Cavanaugh of Storm Lake was involved in an accident with vehicles owned by Jose Catarino Hernandez of Storm Lake, Brittany Vanegas of Storm Lake, and Rodolfo Castaneda Ramirez of Aurelia, along with vehicles driven by Pamela Gorde-Wilson of Aurelia, and Johan Harms of Storm Lake. The vehicle driven by Cavanaugh also struck two electrical poles owned by MidAmerican Energy, and one light pole owned by the Fareway Store.

One injury was reported from the incident, which led to power outages across many neighborhoods. Total damages are estimated at 45 thousand 500 dollars. Cavanaugh was cited for Striking Fixture Upon a Highway, Reckless Driving, Striking Unattended Vehicles, and Failure to Maintain Control.

The Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office and the Storm Lake Fire Department assisted in redirecting traffic and blocking streets where power lines were down. Four-way stop signs were installed at intersections that lost traffic signals. MidAmerican Energy worked late into the evening on Friday replacing power poles and utility lines.

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