STORM LAKE, Buena Vista County, Iowa, Oct. 28, 2026 — A college student died and three other people were hurt on Monday afternoon, October 26, when two vehicles collided on Iowa Highway 110 near the Storm Lake Municipal Airport.
The Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office said a deputy came upon the wreck shortly after it happened, around 1:31 p.m., near the intersection of Highway 110 and 85th Avenue. Investigators determined a southbound Ford Taurus collided with a northbound Ford Transit van.
The Taurus driver, an 18-year-old man from Angleton, Texas, was taken by ambulance to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake before being transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. A front-seat passenger, a 19-year-old woman from Battle Creek, Iowa, was also taken to the Storm Lake hospital before transfer to the Iowa facility. A back-seat passenger, a 21-year-old woman from Dickens, Iowa, was pronounced dead at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. She has been identified by Buena Vista University as a student and member of the school's women's wrestling team; the university's president told the campus community of her death in a message Monday.
The van's driver, a 53-year-old man from Newcastle, Neb., was alone in his vehicle and was brought to the hospital by a sheriff's deputy. The sheriff's office said the deputy on scene called for emergency medical crews and fire department help right away because people in one of the vehicles were trapped. The Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Storm Lake Police Department, Storm Lake and Alta fire departments, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center's ambulance service, and the Iowa Department of Transportation all assisted. Crews stayed at the scene until about 4:30 p.m. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Intersection Safety in Iowa
The crash was reported at Highway 110 and 85th Avenue in Storm Lake. Readers following crash news in Buena Vista County can find more about intersections across the state on our guide to Iowa intersections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed change how survivable a crash is? Yes. Higher speeds mean more force at impact and less time for a driver to react or slow down, which raises the chance of serious or fatal injury.
Why do investigators emphasize seat belt use so much? A seat belt keeps an occupant from being thrown into the dashboard, windshield, or out of the vehicle entirely, which is usually what turns a survivable crash into a fatal one.
What should a family do after a loved one dies in a crash like this? Request a copy of the official crash report once it's released, ask the investigating agency about the timeline for findings, and reach out to the hospital or coroner's office for guidance on next steps.
How do agencies investigate a fatal two-vehicle crash? Investigators typically document the scene, interview witnesses and surviving occupants, examine both vehicles, and may consult speed and crash-reconstruction data before determining a cause.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Storm Lake, IA, Iowa
If you're involved in a crash in or around Storm Lake, stay where it's safe and call 911 right away, even if injuries aren't obvious at first. Some injuries, especially internal ones, take hours to show symptoms, so a medical evaluation soon after the crash matters even if you feel fine. Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers and ask how to obtain the official crash report once it's finalized. If you were a passenger or witness, write down what you remember while it's fresh, including vehicle positions and anything said at the scene. Lean on family, friends, or your doctor in the days afterward. Recovering from a serious crash takes time, physically and otherwise.
