Vehicle Driven By Marion Man Strikes Snowmobile Driven By Child

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is investigating a collision on Sunday evening between a car and a snowmobile driven by a 12-year-old boy.

Nicholas Dighton, 33 of Marion, was going north on Highway 13 when he lost control of his vehicle and entered the east ditch and struck a snowmobile driven by Will Mefferd, 12, of Cedar Rapids, according to a news release from Linn County Sheriff's Office. 

Authorities from multiple agencies were dispatched at about 7:50 p.m. on Sunday to Highway 13 and Hess Lane where the accident occurred. Mefferd was transported to St. Luke's Hospital by helicopter and then to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He is believed to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

The snowmobile was going south on the trail in the east ditch. William Mefferd, 52 of Cedar Rapids, and Brennen Mefferd, 18 of Cedar Rapids, were also riding snowmobiles, but were not hit by the car. All were wearing helmets, according to the Sheriff's office.

Lisa Dighton, 32, of Marion and two small children were also passengers in the car, and all were wearing safety belts or were in car seats.