Pedestrian Fatality in Fort Madison Update

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

The following is an update to the Monday night, June 26th, 2023, pedestrian fatality in the 3400 block of Avenue L.

On Monday, June 26th, 2023, at approximately 11:00 PM, LeeCom received a 911 call of a traffic collision involving a pedestrian in the 3400 block of Avenue L.  Officers arrived and found that a 64-year-old female had been struck by a pickup truck while crossing the highway mid-block.

 

The female victim has been identified as Shirley V. Rodhouse (64) of Fort Madison.  It was confirmed that Rodhouse was on foot near the centerline of the four-lane when hit by a pickup, driven by Robert Lynn Vaughn (56), also of Fort Madison. Vaughn immediately stopped at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Although life-saving efforts were administered by paramedics and firefighters, Rodhouse succumbed to her injuries hours later at the Fort Madison Hospital.

 

As supported by witness accounts and security video, investigators confirmed that Rodhouse was crossing mid-block in a darkened area when struck, and no evidence of impairment or traffic violations on the driver was found.

 

Regardless, the investigation continues, and advance case reports have been forwarded to the Lee County Attorney’s Office for review.

 

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident, and has not been interviewed, is encouraged to contact the Fort Madison Police Detective Bureau at 319-372-2525.

 

This is Fort Madison’s first traffic fatality for 2023.