Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on April 5 at 9 a.m. on Utopia Avenue. Dylan Mckenzie Burchfield, 16, of Panora, was driving a 1987 Ford Crown Victoria southbound at the 1800 block of Utopia Avenue and lost control at a high speed, leaving the roadway to the west ditch and landing on the drivers side. Burchfield struck the west ditch and a tree. Fire and Panora EMS responded to the accident, and Burchfield was removed from the vehicle through non-mechanical means. Due to the potential for serious injuries, Life Flight was requested and responded to the scene. A landing zone was set up with the assistance of Panora EMS and Panora Fire. Life Flight transported Burchfield to an unknown Des Moines hospital. Burchfield was appropriately restrained, and the airbags deployed in front of her. The collision is estimated to have occurred up to 45 minutes prior to law enforcement being notified due to Burchfield being trapped in the vehicle with no means to call for help. Burchfield eventually located her Apple Watch and called her father, who then called 911. The vehicle was estimated to be a total loss with more than $4,000 in damage.