Shortly after 9:30 A.M. this morning, the Webster County Telecommunications Center received information indicating a vehicle had struck a bicyclist near the intersection of 8th Avenue South and South 31st Street in Fort Dodge. Information provided at that time suggested the female victim was
unresponsive.
Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department, along with the Fort Dodge Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, officers observed an unresponsive female lying in the roadway. Based on the injuries observed by officers and medics, the Webster County Medical Examiner was called to the scene where the victim, identified as 65-year-old Fort Dodge resident Melissa Ristau, was pronounced dead.
The preliminary investigation on scene indicated that a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 pickup being operated by 18-year-old Goldfield resident Peyten Rasmussen, turned northbound onto 31st Street from 8th Avenue South. While the vehicle was in motion, Ms. Ristau was struck while crossing the street on a
tricycle.
Due to the nature of the incident, the Iowa State Patrol was contacted and will be assisting with the investigation moving forward. The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Fort Dodge Fire Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Webster County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Fort Dodge Public Works Department.