Ames resident allegedly implicated in wrong-way I-235 crash under the influence

DES MOINES — Ames resident Mary Gaither, 41, allegedly struck an Iowa Polk County sheriff’s deputy vehicle after driving down the wrong side of the interstate under the influence with her 14-year-old daughter as a passenger.

On Sunday, at 4:16 a.m., law enforcement booked Gaither after she allegedly hit an Iowa Polk County sheriff’s deputy vehicle on I-235 near Euclid Ave in Des Moines, Iowa. 

The crash injured Gaither’s daughter. Neither the deputy or Gaither has injuries as a result of the collision. 

Gaither faces charges of operating under the influence for a third offense or subsequent offense, child endangerment and bodily injury and false imprisonment. In total, she is charged with two class D felonies and one serious misdemeanor. 

According to the Polk County Inmates Roster, cash bail has been set at $11,000.