Polk County, IA (August 31, 2026) – A Polk County deputy and two children were involved after a driver traveling the wrong way struck the deputy’s vehicle head-on early on Sunday morning, August 30, on I-235 near Guthrie Ave.
According to court documents, 911 callers reported that a vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-35. The driver, identified as 41-year-old Mary Gaither of Ames, allegedly came close to striking several other vehicles before law enforcement personnel attempted to stop her.
Gaither’s Toyota Sienna later struck a deputy’s vehicle on I-235. Investigators said Gaither’s 14-year-old child was inside the minivan and was taken to UnityPoint Health Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.
A young boy who was also riding in the vehicle was injured but did not require additional medical assistance. Investigators also reported that aerial video showed the 14-year-old hanging out of a window while apparently attempting to escape.
Gaither has been charged with operating while under the influence, child endangerment, and false imprisonment. The investigation into the wrong-way collision is still underway.
We hope those hurt in this tragic situation make a full recovery.
What Can Make Wrong-Way Driving So Dangerous?
Wrong-way driving can create especially dangerous situations because vehicles may approach each other at high speeds with little time to react. Drivers traveling in the correct direction may not immediately recognize that another vehicle is coming toward them, particularly at night or in low-light conditions. The combined speed of two approaching vehicles can also increase the force involved when they make contact. Wrong-way driving may be linked to impairment, confusion, unfamiliar roads, or entering a highway through an incorrect ramp.
Investigators usually review roadway access points, witness accounts, video footage, and vehicle paths to determine how a dangerous situation developed. Information gathered after a serious roadway accident can help establish a clearer picture of what occurred and the factors involved.
