Local 8-year-old dies in accident

By: 
Staff report

     A local 8-year-old girl lost her life in an accident on Wednesday, March 8, at the intersection of S. Cedar Street and W. Washington Street in Monticello.

     According to the Iowa State Patrol accident report, April R. Covel, 27, of Monticello was driving a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan south on S. Cedar Street. Covel was approaching the intersection when she collided with Cassandra Rieken, 8, of Monticello. Rieken was riding her child’s bike at the time she was eastbound on W. Washington Street.

     Rieken suffered fatal injuries. She was taken by Monticello Ambulance to UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center. Covel and a passenger in her van were not injured.

     The accident still remains under investigation by the State Patrol.

     While the Monticello Police Department responded to the accident scene, Chief Britt Smith said they requested the State Patrol come in to assist in the investigation.

     “They have technical investigators trained in accident investigations and specialized mapping equipment to document an accident scene when it results in a fatality,” explained Smith.

     While the MPD does not have the equipment necessary in this case, Smith said regardless of where a fatal accident takes place, the State Patrol are called in.

     “We simply do not have the volume of accidents locally to justify that level of training and expense,” Smith concluded, much like The Cedar Rapids Police Department would.

     Rieken is the daughter of Mark and Christine Rieken of Monticello. She was in second grade at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Monticello. She has two older sisters, also in school.

     Following the day of the accident, counselors were available at both Sacred Heart and the Monticello Community schools to talk with students.

     A support fund was also set up for the Rieken family at Ohnward Bank & Trust in Monticello. In addition, a Go Fund Me account was also established by a niece of the Riekens to help the family with funeral expenses. You can donate there by searching Cassie Rieken Memorial Fund (www.gofundme.com/cassie-rieken-memorial-fund).

Category:

Subscriber Login