Police: No charges in crash that sent pole through Cedar Rapids woman

CEDAR RAPIDS — A crash that led to a Cedar Rapids woman being impaled by a gate pole will not result in charges.

On Tuesday, Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said that based on the facts and circumstances of the March 4 crash, no charges will be filed and the case is closed. No other information was available on the investigation.

'The victim sustained a serious impalement injury as the result of the accident,' Buelow said Wednesday. 'Accident reconstructionists did not believe that failure to maintain control or other traffic charges would be necessary or appropriate.'

Police said 27-year-old Kelsey Cummings was westbound on Zika Avenue NW around 12:07 a.m. March 4 when she crossed the centerline near 16th Street and struck a hollow gate pipe. Police said the 2-inch pipe went through the grill, radiator, battery and firewall of the car before going through Cummings' pelvis area and into the back seat.

A week after the crash, while recovering at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Cummings described for KCRG-TV9 how she had to force herself farther onto the pole in an attempt to reach her cellphone. Cummings said it took her an hour to reach her phone.

Cummings eventually reached her phone and was able to call 911. Police said first responders arrived on the scene within six minutes. Cummings was conscious when medical workers arrived.

Police said first responders had to remove the car's roof and doors to get Cummings out of the car. The pipe was left in place as it was cut from behind and in front of Cummings before she could be transported for medical attention. In all, crews spent 90 minutes removing Cummings from the vehicle, police said.

The pipe was later surgically removed at the hospital.