Looking for pop, driver hits flatbed truck

Posted on Oct 12, 2009 by Jeff Raasch.

A driver searching for a can of pop rear-ended a flatbed truck near West Union Thursday, resulting in about $15,000 in property damage, authorities said today.

A sport-utility vehicle collided with the flatbed truck around 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning on Lincoln Road, about three miles north of West Union. Both vehicles were southbound when the truck, driven by David P. Coulter, 36, of Decorah, slowed down to turn right onto 265th Street, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The SUV, driven by Susan A. Knapp, 35, of Readlyn, collided with the truck from behind, despite an attempt by Knapp to swerve onto the shoulder, authorities said.

Knapp told the authorities she did not see the truck slowing down in time, because she had looked down to find her can of pop.

No one was injured. Knapp was cited for failure to maintain control.

Deputies estimated $10,000 damage to Knapp’s SUV and $5,000 damage to the flatbed truck.