(Edited Nov. 17, 10:30 am)
Northbound driver fails to stop; alcohol may be a factor
Emergency responders were at the intersection of Highways 30 and 25 for the second time in less than 24 hours when they responded to a collision there at about 1 am Saturday, Nov. 15. The accidents were similar, with an eastbound vehicle and a northbound vehicle colliding. Highway 30 is through traffic; Highway 25 is marked to stop.
According to an accident report filed by Greene County chief deputy Jack Williams, Gregory Dean Chapman, 48, of Ames was eastbound on Highway 30 driving a 2014 Chevrolet G1500 van. Alex Christopher Bruch, 20, of Arcadia was northbound on Highway 25 driving a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. Bruch failed to stop as posted, and it was struck in the driver’s side door. The vehicle went into the north ditch, struck a sign, and came to rest in the ditch 174 feet from the point of impact.
Bruch suffered non-incapacitating injuries, although he was taken from the vehicle using a Jaws device. Bruch and four passengers – Journey Jordan Dirks, 19, Trevin Jerome Jorgensen, 20, Micaela Jean Bretey, 17, and Cameron Hackett, 20, all of Carroll – were transported by Greene County Emergency Medical Services to Greene County Medical Center. Bruch, Hackett and Bretey were transferred to a Des Moines hospital. According to the report, none of them were wearing seat belts.
Sheriff Steve Haupert said there was evidence at the scene that alcohol was a factor for the northbound vehicle. That, and the source of the alcohol, is under investigation.
Chapman was transported with possible injuries by the Churdan rescue squad to Greene County Medical Center. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Damage to the van Chapman was driving was estimated at $15,000. Damage to Bruch’s Impala was estimated at $8,000. Damage to the Department of Transportation road sign was estimated at $300. Citations have not been issued.
The Scranton fire department and the Jefferson fire department assisted at the scene.
