WOODWARD, Iowa—A woman was airlifted to a Des Moines Hospital Friday evening after her pickup was struck from behind while attempting to turn onto a county road. According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Ronda Zimmerman was north bound on US Highway 169 about 5:00 p.m. when she slowed to make a left turn onto 335th Street. A second vehicle, driven by Jacob Pliner collided with the rear of Zimmerman’s vehicle. Pliner told authorities he had become distracted by his dog, and struck the rear of Zimmerman’s pickup, forcing it into the ditch.

Zimmerman was flown from the scene by LifeFlight and remains hospitalized. Pliner and a juvenile passenger were treated at the scene and were expected to seek additional treatment on their own. Charges are pending as a result of that accident.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, the Perry Police Department, the Granger Police Department, the Perry Fire Department, Boone County Hospital Ambulance, Condon’s Service and LifeFlight.