A 17-year-old Fort Dodge girl was killed Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident near Marathon in Buena Vista County. The victim has been identified as Emily Averill.

Averill was a passenger in a car driven by 18-year-old Brennen Walter of Fort Dodge. The accident happened at the junctions of Buena Vista County Road M-54 and Highway 10 when the southbound Walter car failed to stop at a stop sign and proceeded into the path of an eastbound SUV driven by 36-year-old Ron Hapes of Laurens.

The Hapes vehicle collided with the Walter car in the intersection causing both vehicles to enter the southwest ditch. Averill was ejected from the Walter car and was pronounced dead at the scene. There were four other victims from the Walter vehicle transported by ambulance to a Storm Lake hospital.

Two of the injured, 17-year-old Peyton White of Carroll and 18-year-old Abigail Biggins of Fort Dodge were both life flighted to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City. Walter and another passenger, 18-year-old Amy Edge of Fort Dodge were treated at the Storm Lake hospital with major injuries. Hapes was treated and released. The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol and the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Department.

Averill graduated last month from St. Edmond’s High School in Fort Dodge. Friends held a candlelight vigil for her last night at the school. Grief counselors will be at the school today to meet with students and staff.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City