Mt. Pleasant police investigate pair of motor-vehicle collisions

A two-vehicle and single-vehicle accidents were investigated recently by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.

Mt. Pleasant Police were called to the intersection of North Lincoln and East Taft streets Sept. 16 to investigate a two-vehicle collision.

Police determined a 2006 Ford Taurus, owned and operated by Stephen Vitale of Mt. Pleasant, was stopped at the stop sign facing east of East Taft Street.

A 2001 Chevrolet Truck, owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation and operated by Anthony Blint of Mt. Pleasant, was traveling north on Lincoln Street and turned west onto Taft Street. The truck had the right-of-way.

Vitale was observed talking or using a cellphone. His car pulled out into the intersection and struck the truck. Vitale admitted he was not paying attention and using his cellphone at the time of the collision.

Damage to the truck was estimated at $2,000. Damage to the car was estimated to be $300.

Vitale was cited for failure to obey a stop sign.

The police department was summoned Sept. 11 to the intersection of Washington Street and Goodyear Road for a report of a vehicle in the ditch.

An investigation revealed that a 1995 Toyota Celica, owned and operated by Christopher Duncan of Salem, was traveling westbound and when the vehicle attempted to turn north onto Goodyear Road, the vehicle slid off the roadway and into the ditch on the northwest corner of the intersection.

The vehicle slid down into the ditch and came to a stop against a utility pole. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,250. Duncan was cited for failure to maintain control.