Fatal Accident in Rural Polk Co., June 29

An early morning single vehicle crash in Polk County took the life of a Salem woman and left three injured. According to Lt. Steve Duvall, on June 27, 2015 at about 6:53 AM, a 2005 Dodge Neon, operated by Triston Ferguson, age 21, of Salem, was traveling east on Highway 194, Monmouth Highway, approximately 3 miles west of Monmouth. The driver attempted to negotiate a curve but left the roadway on the south side. Evidence at the scene indicates the vehicle then spun out of control and rolled over several times into a field on the north side of the highway. Several residents heard the crash and assisted with first aid of the injured. Ferguson sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Hospital by ambulance. Three additional passengers were in the vehicle, identified as: Kayla Lane, age 19, of Salem; Kodi Cooper, age 21, of Salem and Catherine Bartlett-Twete, age 20, of Salem. Lane sustained moderate injury and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital. Cooper was critically injured and transported by helicopter to the Salem Hospital. Initial investigation revealed Bartlett-Twete was partially ejected during the crash. She sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash remains under active investigation.