Gowrie police responded to the single-vehicle accident in the 1100 block of Pleasant Street at approximately 11:45 p.m. Monday, as the girl was being loaded from the Chevrolet Impala into an ambulance to transport for care.

The girl was initially transported to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, before being airlifted to a Des Moines hospital with “significant injuries,” where she remains in critical condition.

Police found her unconscious in the roadway in the 1100 block of Pleasant Street, injured after witnesses said she was thrown off a car. Reports are unclear as to how she fell off the vehicle.

The driver of the car, Brandon Nicholson, 20, of Lehigh, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated, first offense, after failing sobriety field tests, according to a criminal complaint. His blood alcohol content was .105, according to tests at the Webster County Law Enforcement Center.

In a news release, Gowrie Police said further charges are expected.