With only three weeks left in her career as an Ames police officer, Shawn Phipps was in a car accident.

At about 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Phipps was driving west on Lincoln Way. As she passed through the intersection of Welch Avenue, her police car, Phipps said, was hit by a sedan driven by Amanda Sall, who is not listed in the ISU directory.

Phipps estimated the damage at up to $3,000. Phipps said her light was “definitely green” as she passed through the intersection.

Iowa State’s Department of Public Safety is investigating the accident. As of press time, the investigating officer had not completed his report. Loras Jaeger, director of DPS, said a charge should be filed against Sall, who is from Missouri Valley, today in connection with the accident.

Phipps said she is leaving for another job in Washington in three weeks.

“I have three weeks to go, and I get in an accident,” she said. Phipps said while in Washington she will be working for an international consulting firm which is based on the west coast. The job will let her travel abroad.

Phipps, who studied journalism at ISU, said she has enjoyed her eight years with the Ames Police Department.

While working the “bar beat,” Phipps has befriended/busted many a student.

“Working in the Ames community and this diverse culture, all my college experiences with the greek community and all students, has completely prepared me for this adventure I’m about to embark on. Because of my experience here, I’ll feel right at home,” she said.