Sioux City, IA — April 1, 2025, Two people were injured following a car accident that occurred at around 12:10 P.M. on 370th Street.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left two people injured during the afternoon hours of April 1st. According to official reports, a Dodge ProMaster van operated by Lennet Harmelink was traveling on Hickory Avenue in the northbound lanes and stopped at a stop sign at the intersection with 370th Street when she reportedly failed to yield the right-of-way to an eastbound Ford F-350 pickup truck operated by Joshua Van Wyk resulting in a collision. The impact then pushed the pickup truck into the path of an oncoming GMC Sierra operated by Marcus Den Kyle Herder.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Harmelink and Den Herder had sustained injuries and transported them to the hospital. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the status of their injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about multi-vehicle crashes like the one that occurred on the afternoon of April 1st at the intersection of Hickory Avenue and 370th Street, my first concern is whether investigators are taking every necessary step to determine exactly what happened. According to initial reports, a Dodge ProMaster van allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way to a Ford F-350, which was then pushed into a third vehicle—a GMC Sierra. Two individuals were reported injured and transported to the hospital. While that may sound straightforward on paper, crashes involving multiple vehicles and intersection dynamics demand close attention. To fully understand what took place, three essential questions must be addressed: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

First, a complete investigation into a three-vehicle crash should involve far more than determining who had the right-of-way. These types of incidents require scene reconstruction, analysis of vehicle positions, speed estimates, and an assessment of sight lines and signage. It’s also important that investigators talk to everyone involved—drivers and any witnesses alike—and document the scene with photographs and measurements. The question isn’t just who stopped and who didn’t, but whether there were any contributing factors like obstructed views, delayed reactions, or unanticipated road conditions. The reality is that different law enforcement agencies vary in their ability to conduct such detailed investigations. That’s why it can be necessary for those involved or their families to seek a second look from independent experts who can take the time to fill in the blanks.

Next, it’s crucial to consider whether a vehicle defect may have contributed to the sequence of events. In multi-vehicle crashes, especially when a heavy pickup truck is pushed into another vehicle, the mechanical integrity of brakes, steering components, and crash avoidance systems all come into play. Even though reports say the Dodge ProMaster failed to yield, it’s important not to overlook whether the vehicle responded as it should have. Was there any brake fade? Did a tire blowout or steering component fail to respond? These are all questions that can only be answered through a forensic mechanical inspection, which is often skipped if the vehicle is not preserved in time. The sooner that step is taken, the better chance we have of identifying or ruling out defect-related causes.

Finally, all relevant electronic data must be recovered and analyzed to get a full understanding of the crash. Each vehicle likely contains an electronic control module that may reveal valuable information about speed, braking force, and steering input immediately before the crash. In addition, if any of the vehicles were equipped with GPS, dash cams, or even Bluetooth-connected cell phones, those sources can help reconstruct the timeline and driver behavior. Unfortunately, this information is often lost if not collected promptly. The longer it takes to secure the data, the more likely it is to be overwritten or unrecoverable—particularly when vehicles are repaired or scrapped before this step is completed.

In any serious collision, especially one involving multiple vehicles and injuries, it’s essential to ask the right questions from the outset. Did law enforcement fully document and analyze the crash scene? Was there any investigation into whether one of the vehicles may have malfunctioned? And has all the electronic data been preserved and reviewed? Until those questions are answered, we can’t claim to understand what truly happened—and that means those affected still don’t have the answers they need to move forward.