An O’Brien County teen was killed in a one vehicle accident just after midnight on December 21. The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office reported that the driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Carter Halverson of Paullina, was pronounced dead at the scene. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 28 at the South O’Brien High School Gymnasium with Pastor John Erickson officiating. Burial was at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, their Communications Center received a 911 call from OnStar at 12:11 a.m. on December 21 reporting a possible collision near 5454 500th Street southwest of Paullina. OnStar also reported that their system showed airbags had been deployed and there was one occupant in the driver’s seat. OnStar’s system further indicated that the vehicle had possibly rolled over.
Emergency services were immediately dispatched. Upon arrival, one vehicle, a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, was located. The preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling eastbound on 500th Street and left the roadway to the left and entered the north ditch. The report stated that the vehicle appears to have hit a driveway and rolled at least once. The accident remains under investigation.
The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Paullina Police Department, Paullina Fire Department, Paullina Ambulance and the O’Brien County Medical Examiner.
Halverson was a senior at South O’Brien and school Superintendent Wade Riley issued a joint statement with Junior High and High School Principal Denise Phillips. The statement said that the school would “offer support services for all of our students and staff during this time as our community grieves the loss of Carter and process the tragic news.” Grief support services were available from school counselors and from the local ministerial association. The two administrators stated that additional grief and counseling support will be provided when students return from winter break. “Our condolences and thoughts go out to the student’s family, friends, and loved ones as they cope with this tremendous loss,” said the administrators.